Abstract

Introduction

Materials & Methods

Results

Discussion & Conclusion

References

Discussion
Board

Two studies were completed. In the first series 24 subjects (12 male, 12 female aged 16-24yrs) completed three graded exercise bouts : control , placebo, Breathe Right strip. A modified face mask allowed for indpendent measurement of nasal and oral ventilation and metabolic values. There was no significant difference in total ventilation nor oxygen consumption at any metabolic level from rest to maximum. However the % of total ventilation through the nose(%N) was increased by 10-25%. This was associated with %N increases in oxygen consumption as well. Increases were greatest at moderate to heavy workloads (60-90% VO2max). A performance ride to exhaustion following the progressive workload test showed no performance enhancing effects of the nasal strips. Nasal breathing has been shown to decrease the severity exercise induced asthma (EIA). To investigate whether the shift to more nasal ventilation in the nasal strip condition, could be of value in EIA, a pilot study with 12 EIA subjects aged 12-26yrs was completed. They completed a standard EIA exercise challenge of 6 min treadmill running at 80% VO2max once with placebo and once with the nasal strips. Five of the 12 subjects had a decreased EIA response during nasal strip trials as measured by %fall index for pulmonary function values, while the remainder showed no measurable response. In conclusion we have shown that the nasal strips do increase nasal ventilation during exercise. As well pilot data suggests that improved air conditioning due to this increase may decrease EIA response.

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Poster Number PAwilson0196
Keywords: Nasal Strip, exercise, ventilation, EIA, performance