Sports injuries and hyperbaric oxygen therapy: physiological effects and previous findings
Kübra Canarslan Demir1
, Ahmet Uğur Avcı2
1Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Department, Gülhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye
2Aerospace Medicine Department, Gülhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye
Keywords: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, sports Injuries ÖZ
Abstract
Problems encountered in the management of sports injuries can lead to a prolonged treatment process and a long period of time away from sports that may cause significant economic loss, as well. To ensure the most effective return to sports, a multidisciplinary approach is often required.
Research has demonstrated that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) shows promising results as a treatment modality for sports injuries. A search of the scientific literature was conducted using the keywords "hyperbaric oxygen therapy" and "sports injuries" across PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. The positive effects of HBOT have been reported in the treatment of various sports injuries, including muscle and soft tissue injuries, as well as bone marrow edema.
This review examines the physiological effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, as well as the findings obtained from animal injury models and human clinical studies on its use in sports injuries. The effects of HBOT vary depending on the type of injury, and it is generally more beneficial as an adjunctive treatment rather than as a standalone therapy.
Although numerous studies have been published, a standardized treatment protocol has yet to be established. However, based on current protocols in the literature, it is believed that a 90- to 120-minute treatment session, administered at least five days per week at 2.0-2.5 ATA, will provide the greatest benefit. The total number of sessions should be determined by the physician following the treatment, based on the patient's specific condition and needs.
Cite this article as: Canarslan Demir K, Avci, AU. Sports injuries and hyperbaric oxygen therapy: physiological effects and previous findings. Turk J Sports Med. 2025 Feb 18th; https://doi.org/10.47447/tjsm.0856
Both authors contributed to all stages of the manuscript writing process. All authors contributed to the final version of the manuscript and discussed the results and contributed to the final manuscript.
The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to authorship and/or publication of the article.
The authors received no financial support for the research and/or publication of this article.
