The use of hyperbaric medicine in sport has grown significantly in recent years. Elite athletes in football, tennis, cycling and athletics use medical hyperbaric chambers to complement their recovery after intense exertion or injury.
How does it work at therapeutic pressure?
Under normal conditions, oxygen is transported mainly by haemoglobin in red blood cells. Inside a medical hyperbaric chamber, the patient breathes oxygen at a pressure above normal atmospheric pressure. According to Henry’s law, this increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in blood plasma and can improve oxygen availability in tissues.
Potential benefits for athletes
- Inflammation and oedema: Hyperbaric oxygen produces vasoconstriction while maintaining tissue oxygenation, a physiological effect that may help control oedema in selected injuries.
- Collagen synthesis: Oxygen plays an essential role in fibroblast activity and collagen formation, both of which are involved in the repair of tendons, ligaments and other tissues.
- Recovery between training sessions: Treatment protocols may be incorporated into a wider programme involving rest, physiotherapy, nutrition and medical follow-up.
- Individual clinical assessment: Pressure, number of sessions and timing must be adapted to the injury, training phase and medical history of each athlete.
At HMCE Hyperbaric Medical Center in Estepona, treatment protocols are planned individually and delivered with professional supervision. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is complementary and does not replace diagnosis, rehabilitation or treatment prescribed by the patient’s healthcare team.