Abstract

Objective: To examine venous partial pressure of oxygen (Pvo₂), transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcPo₂), and Vo₂max in a normobaric environment after a single hyperbaric oxygen (HBo₂) treatment.

Methods: This was a prospective study of conditions after the intervention compared with baseline. The participants were 10 moderately trained (Vo₂max =  57.6 ml/kg/min) men. Two HBo₂ treatments consisting of breathing 95% oxygen at 2.5 atmospheres absolute (ATA) for 90 minutes were administered on non-consecutive days. Baseline testing included measures of Vo₂max, tcPo₂, and anthropometry. At 6.0 (1.0) minutes after the first HBo₂ treatment, a Vo₂max test was performed. After the second HBo₂ treatment, leg and chest tcPo₂ and Pvo₂ were monitored for 60 minutes.

Results: Vo₂max, running time, and peak blood lactate were not altered after the HBo₂ treatment. Leg tcPo₂ was lower (p  =  0.003) and chest tcPo₂ was unchanged after the HBo₂ treatment compared with baseline values. Pvo₂ was significantly (p<0.001) lower in the first three minutes after treatment than subsequent values, but no other differences were found.

Conclusions: A single HBo₂ treatment at 2.5 ATA for 90 minutes does not raise Pvo₂, tcPo₂, or Vo₂max in a normobaric, normoxic environment.