Montgomery, D. L., McGavock, J. M., Lecomte, J. M., Lacroix, V. J., Delaney, J. S., & Gagne, C. J-M. (1999). The effect of hyperbaric oxygen on aerobic performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(5), Supplement abstract 2066.

Trained runners (M = 6; F = 6) breathed 95% oxygen at 2.5 ATA for 90 minutes in hyperbaric chamber. A 10-minute break was provided at minute 45. Compression and decompression times totaled 20 minutes. Control values for aerobic performance were measured on two occasions to assess test-retest reliability. The hyperbaric experience was followed 45 minutes later by a treadmill run. Several physiological variables and performance times were assessed.

Compared to a control condition, a single hyperbaric treatment did not significantly alter submaximal physiological measures, VO2max, or run-times to exhaustion.

Implication. A single hyperbaric treatment does not enhance aerobic performance.

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