Inhalation of Oxygen as an Aid to Recovery after Exertion

Twelve young men including six trained endurance runners and six non-runners, were tested once in each of three treatment situations to determine the effectiveness of oxygen inhalation as an aid to recovery. The exercise test involved two runs of 5 min. each on a motor-driven treadmill. The treadmill was set at level grade and a speed of 8mph. After the first run, one of the treatments was administered. The treatments consisted of oxygen, a placebo tank of compressed atmospheric air, and ordinary atmospheric air. Immediately after a 1-min. inhalation period, the second 5-min. run followed. Heart rates were monitored throughout the testing period, and recovery oxygen consumption and ventilation rate were measured after the second run. The inhalation of oxygen did not appear to be of any physiological aid to recovery. Although not of statistical significance, larger pulse decreases were recorded on the non-runners during the inhalation of oxygen. Exercise pulse rates indicated that the exercise tes...