The Impact of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Combined with High-Intensity Interval Training on Pulmonary and Diaphragmatic Function in Sedentary Young Adults

Abstract

Background: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) provides significant adjunctive benefits in treating various diseases. However, some studies suggest that HBO may impair pulmonary function. A sedentary lifestyle contributes to declines in both pulmonary and diaphragmatic functions, while physical activity might mitigate these effects. This study aims to explore the combined effects of HBO and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on pulmonary and diaphragmatic functions in sedentary young adults. Methods: Fifty-four sedentary young adults (27 males, 27 females) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the hyperbaric oxygen intervention group (HBO group, n=18), the high-intensity interval training group (HIIT group, n=18), and the combined hyperbaric oxygen and high-intensity interval training group (HBO-HIIT group, n=18). Pulmonary and diaphragmatic functions were assessed using specific metrics before and after an 8-week intervention. Results: Significant differences in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak inspiratory flow (PIF), and diaphragm thickness during inspiration (DT-Edi) were observed across all three groups pre- and post-intervention (P < 0.05). The HBO-HIIT group exhibited significant improvements in pulmonary function metrics and DT-Edi compared to the HBO group (P < 0.05 for all metrics). Moreover, the HBO-HIIT group showed substantial differences in PIF and DT-Edi compared to the HIIT group (P < 0.05 for all). The HIIT group displayed significant improvements in forced vital capacity (FVC) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) compared to the HBO group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that HBO intervention does not impair pulmonary function. Combining HBO with HIIT significantly enhances pulmonary and diaphragmatic functions in sedentary young adults, with superior results to either intervention alone.