Effect of the external nasal dilator on adolescent athleteswith and without allergic rhinitis

The ability to effectively breathe through the nose is an important component of physical exercise. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of the external nasal dilator (END) on healthy adolescent athletes and those with allergic rhinitis.

Clinical trial, double-blind, crossover, in which we evaluated healthy adolescent athletes with allergic rhinitis, using experimental and placebo ENDs, submitted to a maximum cardio-respiratory test in randomized order. Predicted values for peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF%) and nasal resistance (NR) were obtained, and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was also assessed after the race test.

65 adolescents participated in the study, 30 of whom had allergic rhinitis. The use of experimental ENDs demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in peak nasal inspiratory flow values (predicted %), nasal resistance, maximal oxygen uptake value (VO₂Max.) and rating of perceived exertion, both in the healthy group and the one with allergic rhinitis.

Results suggested that END reduces nasal resistance, improves maximal oxygen uptake and rating of perceived exertion after a maximum cardio-respiratory test on healthy adolescents and those with allergic rhinitis.