Oxygenation and exercise performance-enhancing effects attributed to the breathe-right nasal dilator

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Many athletes use nasal dilators, believing they improve oxygen intake and athletic performance.
• The "Breathe-Right" nasal dilator is commonly used by athletes during competition.
• There is a prevailing belief that increased nasal airflow enhances athletic capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the physiological effects of nasal dilators on athletic performance during exercise.
• To determine if nasal dilators improve nasal gas conduction and oxygenation during aerobic and anaerobic exercise.
• To test the hypothesis that nasal dilators enhance athletic performance.

Main Methods:

• A ramped cycle ergometer stress test was used to assess athletes until VO(2) maximum.
• Physiological responses including VO(2) max, anaerobic threshold, and maximum WATT output were measured.
• 16 college-aged male athletes participated, with performance compared while wearing and not wearing nasal dilators.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant difference was found in VO(2) max between wearing and not wearing nasal dilators.
• Key performance indicators such as peak VO(2) kg, anaerobic threshold onset, and maximum WATT output showed no improvement.
• The respiratory exchange ratio at VO(2) max also did not differ significantly with nasal dilator use.

Conclusions:

• Wearing nasal dilators did not enhance the aerobic or anaerobic exercise performance of college-aged male athletes.
• The study did not support the hypothesis that nasal dilators increase nasal gas conduction or oxygenation to improve performance.
• Further research may be needed to explore potential benefits in different populations or under varied exercise conditions.