What Researchers Did
Researchers investigated the acute and chronic effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on blood volume and oxygen saturation in human muscle and Achilles tendon using near-infrared spectroscopy.
What They Found
Acutely, during 60 minutes of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, muscle blood volume increased but oxygen saturation did not change, whereas both blood volume and oxygen saturation of the Achilles tendon increased. After 6 weeks of therapy, resting blood volume and oxygen saturation of the tendon were significantly lower, while those of the muscle were not.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The study's findings are specific to the investigated muscle and tendon sites, and the long-term clinical implications of the observed changes require further research.