OBJECTIVE

The study aim was to find out the effectiveness of the combined use of normoxic barotherapy (NOBT) and enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) in the rehabilitation of athletes with pathological changes on the ECG (inversion of the T wave).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective controlled study included 68 athletes — members of the Moscow national teams with inversion/negative T wave on the ECG in 4 or more adjacent leads. A course of NOBT was carried out in 25 athletes, a complex of NOBT and EECP — in 20 athletes, 23 athletes were controls. The groups were comparable in gender, age, clinical and instrumental parameters, type and intensity of sport. The course of NOBT consisted of 10 procedures, performed in a chamber with 0.3 atm. pressure. and an oxygen level 30%, flow rate 5 l/min, in the complex group NOBT was prescribed after EECP, which was performed with a pressure of 200 mm Hg on the calve, thighs and gluteal region in diastole. All the athletes were prescribed metabolic drugs approved by the Anti-Doping Agency.

RESULTS

Good response (improving in the T wave-changes on the ECG) was noted in 68% in NOBT group, in 80% of complex use of NOBT and EECP and in 57% of the controls. In the NOBT group the level of resting heart rate and diastolic blood pressure at rest and after exercise decreased, in NOBT and EECP complex group aerobic endurance was increased.

CONCLUSION

The use of NOBT and the NOBT and EECP complex has good clinical efficacy in the rehabilitation of athletes with pathological changes on the ECG.