DeCato
No clear extra benefit from performing interval sprint training breathing hyperbaric oxygen compared to normobaric air
1. There was no increase in maximal oxygen consumption using HBO compared to air. |
Citation/s:
1.DeCato TW, Bradley SM, Wilson EL, Harlan NP, Villela MA, Weaver LK, Hegewald MJ. Effects of sprint interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness while in a hyperbaric oxygen environment. Undersea & hyperbaric medicine: journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc. 2019;46:117-24.
Lead author's name and fax: Thomas DeCato: thomas.decato@wsu.edu
Three-part Clinical Question: Does a sprint training program undertaken during hyperbaric oxygenation, compared to normobaric air, increase performance?
Search Terms: exercise sprint training, oxygen consumption
The Study:
Non-blinded randomised controlled trial with intention-to-treat.
The Study Patients: Healthy adult volunteers (20 to 39 years) not involved in a structured aerobic training program.
Control group (N = 29; 26 analysed): A two week sprint interval training program breathing air at 0.85 ATA (Denver). Six sessions of 30 minutes.
Experimental group (N = 29; 23 analysed): As above, but while breathing 100% oxygen at 1.4 ATA
The Evidence
Measure |
Air Group |
HBO Group |
Difference |
95% CI | ||
Mean |
SD |
Mean |
SD | |||
Peak VO2 (L/min) after the program |
2.8 |
1.49 |
3.1 |
1.4 |
0.30 |
-0.90 to 1.50 |
Peak work rate (watts) after program |
237 |
124 |
269 |
125 |
32 |
-88.9 to 89.5 |
Comments:
1. Stratified randomisation for level of fitness on pre-testing.
2. Some marginally significant increase in peak work rate (not using our analysis here) and peak minute ventilation - practical significance unclear. The authors interpret these findings cautiously as the time to exhaustion was not different.
3. Both groups improved significantly over the training period.
4. There were more women in the ambient group (60%) than in the HBO group (30%)
5. Lack of blinding may be a source of bias toward HBO group.
Appraised by: Mike Bennett ; Saturday, 11 April 2020
Email: m.bennett@unsw.edu.au
Kill or Update By: April 2025