Hyperbaric oxygen breathing improved exercise performance and oxygen consumption in normobaric conditions for 3 hours following exposure.

Clinical Bottom Line: 1. Hyperbaric oxygen exposure improved performance capacity and oxygen consumption for at least 3 hours post-exposure. Appraised by: Mike Bennett, Dept of Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital Sydney; Monday, 18 January, 1999

Clinical Scenario: An athlete presents suggesting that aerobic performance will be enhanced by exposure to hyperbaric oxygen. Three-part Question: In athletes, does exposure to hyperbaric oxygen compared to normal air breathing, result in enhanced aerobic performance and for how long? Search Terms: Hyperbaric oxygenation, exercise.

The Study: Non-blinded randomised controlled trial with intention-to-treat. Fit female physical education students with no specific contra-indications to hyperbaric oxygen. Control group (N = 18 ;18 analysed): All participants had a standard treadmill test with increasing exertion required in a discontinuous manner, three days before hyperbaric exposure. Experimental group (N = 18 ;18 analysed): All participants were randomised into three arms and then had hyperbaric oxygen at 2.8 ATA for 60 minutes. Each group was tested at a different time post-HBO: 30 mins, 3 hours and 6 hours after completion of HBO protocol.

The Evidence:

Comments: 1. Placebo effect of hyperbaric oxygen not tested - no blinding of subjects. 2. The ventilation dependent oxygen uptake ratio, respiratory exchange ratio and lactate concentrations before and after HBO exposure did not change significantly in any group. 3. No a priori justification is made for the choice of times to test performance.

Expiry date: March 2021 References: 1. Cabric M, Medved R, Denoble P, Zivkovic M, Kovacevic H. Effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on maximal aerobic performance in a normobaric environment. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 1991; 31:362-366.

Improved subjective recovery with hyperbaric oxygen but no influence on markers of cellular damage or hormone levels.

Clinical bottom line:

Citation/s: 1. Branco BU, Fukuda DH, Andreato LV, da Silva Santos JF, Esteves JV, Franchini E. The effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on post-training recovery in jiu-jitsu athletes PloS one 2016;11(3:e0150517

Lead author's name and email: BH Branco brauliomagnani@live

'Three-part Clinical Question: 'For Jui-Jitsu athletes, does the administration of hyperbaric oxygen following training sessions compared to rest, result in any effect on hormone concentrations or biochemical markers of cellular damage?

'Search Terms: 'Exercise, recovery, martial arts

The Study: Non-blinded randomised controlled trial with intention-to-treat.

The Study Patients: Adult male Jui-Jitsu athletes in regular training three times each week and without a current injury

Control group'(N = 11; 11 analysed): Passive recovery for 2 hours after two separate training sessions.

Experimental group (N = 11; 11 analysed): Breathing 100% oxygen at 2.4 ATA for one hour and 40 minutes after two separate training sessions, followed by a further 1 hour and 40 minute recovery period.

The Evidence:

​​​​​​​

Comments

1. Crossover study with no attempt to blind participants or experimenters. Comments:

2. Thorough statistical approach with ANOVA and post-hoc Bonferroni correction. The meaning if the difference between groups used to calculate sample size is not clear.

3. Authors emphasise the biochemical results over the subjective outcomes.

4. The improvement in subjective recovery scores at 24 hours seems very modest and may be of little practical importance.

5. Lack of blinding may have influenced the subjective outcome.

​​​​​​​Appraised by: Monday, 9 April Michael Bennett This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Kill or Update By: April 2025

Some poor evidence of improvement in measures of cognition in dementia patients with a combination of hyperbaric oxygen and acetazolamide.

Clinical Bottom Line

Citation/s: 1.Boyle E, Aparico A, Canosa F, Owen D, Dash HH. Hyperbaric oxygen and acetazolamide in the treatment of senile cognitive functions. In: Trapp WG, Bannister EW, Davison AJ, Trapp PA, eds. Proceedings of the Fifth International Hyperbaric Conference. Burnaby, Canada: Simon Fraser University, 1974:432-438
Lead author's name and fax: Boyle. Miami Heart Institute Research Division, Miami Beach, Florida

Three-part Clinical Question: For patients with senile dementia, does the application of either hyperbaric oxygen or acetazolomide result in improved cognition.
Search Terms: Acetazolamide; cognition; dementia

The Study: Non-blinded randomised controlled trial without intention-to-treat.
The Study Patients: “Aged senile subjects.”
Control group (N = 21; ? analysed): Breathing 13% oxygen at 3 ATA for 30 minutes to a total of 10 sessions over two weeks.
Experimental group (N = 30; ? analysed): As above but breathing 100% oxygen at 3 ATA and given acetazolamide 250 mg orally for the same 10 day period.

The Evidence:

Comments:
1. Old study poorly conducted and reported by modern standards.
2. Probably an open label study, incomplete randomisation and an undefined number of crossover patients at eight weeks.
3. Results are not easily interpreted given undisclosed drop-outs and interrupted comparisons.
4. No details of the meaning of the numerical outcomes

Appraised by: Mike Bennett, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; Saturday, 22 August 2020
Kill or Update By: August 2025

Keynote Speaker

Invited Speakers

2023

Download 2023 06 SPUMS ASM Programme and Proceedings  

2024

Download 2024 05 SPUMS ASM Programme and Proceedings  

Please download a copy of the Programme and Abstract Booklet.

Programme and Abstracts 2024 (download here).

Programme 2024 (download here).

Important information for Delegate download information here.

PDF of Important Information for SPUMS ASM Fiji 2024

About the Pearl Resort Pacific Harbour Fiji

The Pearl Resort is located at Pacific Harbour, at the eastern end of the coral coast, on Fiji’s main Island, Viti Levu. It is approximately 3 hours by road from Nadi International Airport, and just over one hour from Fiji’s capital, Suva.

The Pearl Resort has over 100 rooms an excellent function centre, a comprehensive spa, 3 restaurants and bars, a freeform kids pool and separate adults only pool. The Pearl Resort is located on 1 km of swimming beach, and with direct marina access to the ocean.

Pacific Harbour is relatively isolated, with local services including a supermarket, local shops and crafts, an arts centre and a post office. There are some local restaurants within a few kilometres. There are limited other local accommodation options. Pacific Harbour is known as the adventure capital of Fiji, with many experiences such as a nearby championship golf course, waterfall tours, whitewater rafting, ziplining, jet-skiing, surfing and of course scuba diving.

The Pearl Resort is located a 40-minute boat ride from Fiji’s Beqa (pronounced Benga) lagoon, which has excellent soft coral diving, drop-offs and world-famous shark feeding. Beqa lagoon will be accessed for diving during the conference practical diving workshops. Delegates will be returned in time for lunch.

CLIMATE: The climate is warm and tropical, with May temperatures averaging 21°C (min)-28°C (max). Water temperature is expected to be 26°C. May is on the shoulder of wet/dry seasons with 127 mm rain for the month. Half of the days in May will have some rain (usually in the afternoons).

Keynote speaker

Dr. Derrick is currently an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Assistant Professor in Anesthesiology, Center for Hyperbaric Medicine & Environmental Physiology at Duke University.  He is the Programme Director for the Duke Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine Fellowship Programme. His research focuses on the use of nutritional ketosis for the mitigation of central nervous system oxygen toxicity.

Invited speakers

To be announced.

Programme Monday – Friday 

This year's SPUMS conference will be organised in Bali, Indonesia. We will return to the Ramayana resort after a succesful previous ASM.

Bali

Bali, Indonesia is a spectacular destination that undoubtedly calls for a visit. The island is home to unmatched natural beauty, with breathtaking views of ocean vistas, stretching beaches, rolling rice fields, beach facing bars, adventure sports, and deluxe hotels overlooking the expansive ocean.

May is an ideal time to visit Bali. The weather is typified by sunny days and marks the start of the dry season. The Bali temperature in May is between 23 and 31 °C and is good for sightseeing, outdoor activities, to hit the beach and to feel the refreshing breeze. Evenings can be still nicely fresh with an amazing breeze. May is on the shoulder of wet season with 80 mm rain for the month. Only 8 days in May will have some rain. Beaches are generally clean, and the sea has calmed down quite a bit. Water temperature is expected to be 28°C.

Ramayana Candidasa Resort

The Ramayana Candidasa Resort, a luxurious seaside sanctuary nestled in the heart of Candidasa, Bali. The resort offers an array of Balinese-style rooms, some of which overlook the breathtaking Bali Sea or the tranquil pool. Each room is adorned with modern Balinese décor, private balconies, elegant wood furnishings, and luxurious marble bathrooms, providing a perfect blend of comfort and style. The resort is less than 12 km from Taman Ujung and Tirta Gangga Water Palace, and a short drive from Tenganan Village and Virgin Beach.

Guests are invited to lounge by the pool, relax on swing beds on the resort’s front terrace on the white sand overlooking the ocean, or partake in recreational activities such as snorkeling, Balinese dance lessons, and cooking classes. The elegant Garpu Restaurant & Bar, partly above the sea, serves a delightful mix of Mediterranean, Italian, and local dishes.

Featuring a complete list of amenities, guests will find their stay at the property a comfortable one. Facilities like free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour security, daily housekeeping, taxi service, 24-hour front desk are readily available for you to enjoy. Some of the well-appointed guestrooms feature television LCD/plasma screen, bathroom phone, complimentary instant coffee, complimentary tea, free welcome drink. Enjoy the hotel's recreational facilities, including snorkeling, hot spring bath, outdoor pool, fishing, spa, before retiring to your room for a well-deserved rest.

The Ramayana resort is surrounded by other resorts, without additional restaurants close by. There are a couple of restaurants at 20 minutes walking from the resort as alternative dinner options. The Ramayana resort offers a-la-carte dining and we will have the option to join the SPUMS buffet dinners at the resort.

Travel

There are direct daily flights to Denpasar airport (DPS) from almost all major cities in Australia and Auckland, New Zealand. Furthermore, there are several options for international connections in Asia and the Middle-East. 

The drive from the airport to the Ramayana Candidasa resort is 1.5 - 2 hours (depending on traffic). You can choose to arrange a transfer organised by the resort via DivePlanit. Be mindful that the Ramayana has a second suites & resort on Bali close to the airport. Other options are private pre-booked transport services or local taxis.

It is advised that you book your flights arriving to Denpasar on Sunday before midday and leave on Saturday after midday, allowing yourself time for the transfer from and to the airport and be at the resort to join us at the welcome cocktail party on Sunday evening and the gala dinner on Friday night.

Bali border arrangements

The Smartraveller website has in-depth travel advise for visiting Indonesia. It details the information on border arrangements, including the links in the steps below. Beware of other websites that purport to offer this, if you just Google search.

In order to speed up your processing time at the airport we advise to arrange upfront:

• e-Visa on Arrival  (500,000 Rp/ ~$50) at least 48 hours before travel (imigrasi.go.id)
• Bali Tourist tax (150,000 Rp/ ~$15) (baliprov.go.id)
• Health Declaration (free) can only complete within 48 hours of travel (kemkes.go.id). Save the received barcode
• e-Customs declaration (free) up to 3 days before travel (beacukai.go.id)

Diveplanit Services

Diveplanit has been appointed official SPUMS ASM travel provider.

Once you have registered yourself and accompanying guests on this website, use your allocated SPUMS ID to access Diveplanit for booking: The services they provide and booking process are at: https://www.diveplanit.com/event/spums-2025-asm-bali-accommodation-diving-meals/

• You must have registered for the ASM and have a SPUMS ID before booking with Diveplanit.

Diveplanit can assist with booking:

• Accommodation bookings, including if delegates wish to add extra days at the Ramayana Resort, before or after the conference.
• Practical Diving Workshops – 2 dives per day, Monday to Friday mornings for all certified divers who are registered as delegates or guests
• Four “themed” buffet evening meals for conference delegates and guests (Monday to Thursday)
• Transfers from (and to) Denpasar International Airport to the resort
• Bookings for pre and post conference dive packages if desired
• Flight bookings (if required)