The historic ban on the use of hypobaric chambers by Italian athletes, regulated in anti-doping criminal law 376/2000, was recently revoked, reveals La Gazzetta dello Sport. Published on page 793 of the Gazzetta Ufficiale (Official Gazette) of November 27, 2023, “the use of the hypobaric chamber is not prohibited; the athlete who resorts to this practice must remain under the strict supervision of the sports doctor, before and after using the hypobaric chamber” states the decree.
End of the unique ban on the international stage
The Wada (world anti-doping agency) global code does not provide for a ban on hypobaric chambers, but Italy was the only country to ban the practice. This meant that Italian athletes, both in Italy and abroad, who used an Italian sports license, could not use the hypobaric tent or chamber.
The camera, equated to “Doping instruments and practices” was subject to disqualification and even criminal prosecution. Foreign athletes who used this tool on Italian territory also ran the risk of being punished, as the camera was prohibited not by sports law, but by criminal law.
Benefits of using hypobaric chambers
The chambers, which are connected to a compressor and come in various models (including portable ones), progressively reduce the amount of oxygen available, simulating high-altitude conditions. This forces the body to naturally produce more red blood cells, thus increasing the percentage of oxygen available for physical effort.
It takes at least two weeks at altitude or inside a hypobaric chamber to obtain concrete benefits in blood oxygenation. Cyclist Stefano Oldani (Cofidis), winner of a stage of the Giro d’Italia 2022, commented on the matter:
“My teammates prepared for the Tour de France in Spain, in hypobaric chambers. I had to go train at altitude in Teide, in the Canary Islands.”
Regulatory review and future perspectives
In a communication sent by the Ministry of Health to the Sports Medical Federation and all sports federations, it was explained that the revocation of this ban resulted from a scientific-bibliographic study carried out by the Superior Health Council.
The change aims to align the treatment of Italian athletes with that of foreigners, considering that the methodology was prohibited, contrary to what was already foreseen by Wada.
With this decision, Italy joins the rest of the world in recognizing the advantages that hypobaric chambers can offer athletes when preparing for and recovering from training. The decision represents a step forward in the country’s approach to sport and athletes’ well-being.