An interventional study of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - HBOT and Sham in Healthy Lifestyle, sponsored by Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center. Recruiting at 1 site in Israel. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 45 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-04-30.
Sponsored by Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
comparing the effect of hyperoxygenated environment on maximal muscle strength in the Mid-thigh Pull Task
All three major energy systems - phosphagen, glycolytic, and oxidative - contribute to any given physical effort. However, it has been widely deemed that the contribution of the oxidative energy system (aerobic) to motor tasks at the very high end of the intensity spectrum, such as maximal muscle strength efforts, is close to negligible. Hyperoxygenated environment includes the inhalation of 100% oxygen at pressures exceeding one atmosphere absolute (ATA) in order to enhance the amount of oxygen dissolved in the body tissues. During hyperbaric chamber treatment, the arterial O2 tension typically exceeds 1500 mmHg, and levels of 200-400 mmHg occur in different body tissues.
The isometric mid-thigh pull test (IMTP) is an increasingly popular means to evaluate muscle strength in a multi-joint, large muscle-mass, mostly lower-body motor task.
Our study aims to determine whether a high availability of muscle tissue oxygen, by means of hyperbaric oxygenation, can influence the putative small contribution of the oxidative energy system significantly enough to affect peak-force production in a maximal IMTP.
Exclusion Criteria:
The HYPEROXYGENATED ENVIRONMENT protocol will include a single exposure to hyperoxic environment. The session will last 60 minutes, of 100% oxygen inhalation by mask at 2 ATA. 15 minutes after reaching 2 ATA and breathing 100% oxygen - IMTP test - For measurement of peak-force at baseline and under the different oxygenation conditions, each participant will be given three attempts at every IMTP test. A three-minute rest will be given between attempts, with the aim of attaining optimal recovery
Device: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - HBOT
The Sham protocol will include a single session of breathing 21% oxygen by mask while in the same multi-place chamber. SHAM pressure will go up to 1.2 ATA during the first five minutes of the session (to simulate the pressure sensation in the ears), and then decrease during the next 5 minutes to 1.03 ATA for 55 minutes. 15 minutes after reaching 1.03 ATA and breathing 21% oxygen - IMTP test - For measurement of peak-force at baseline and under the different oxygenation conditions, each participant will be given three attempts at every IMTP test. A three-minute rest will be given between attempts, with the aim of attaining optimal recovery
Device: Sham
The HYPEROXYGENATED ENVIRONMENT protocol will include a single exposure to hyperoxic environment. The session will last 60 minutes, of 100% oxygen inhalation by mask at 2 ATA
The Sham protocol will include a single session of breathing 21% oxygen by mask while in the same multi-place chamber. SHAM pressure will go up to 1.2 ATA during the first five minutes of the session (to simulate the pressure sensation in the ears), and then decrease during the next 5 minutes to 1.03 ATA for 55 minutes
Maximal static muscle force production
Participants will perform the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) test using an analog dynamometer that will be purchased for the purpose of the study
Time frame: Baseline evaluation, IMPT test in HBOT chamber, Approximately 4 weeks after the first visit, participants will be exposed to the opposite intervention - HOE or SHAM - and will undergo the same isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) test in the chamber.
Plan to share: No
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Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center