$Unique_ID{BRK00779}
$Pretitle{Special Procedures and Laboratory Tests}
$Title{Can Oxygen be an Advantage for High School Football Teams?}
$Subject{sports school oxygen}
$Volume{P-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Can Oxygen be an Advantage for High School Football Teams?


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QUESTION:  Our high school football team plays without the benefit of oxygen
for our kids, who are at a disadvantage when playing against other teams who
do have it.  Could you write about this in your column so that we can show
your information to our school board?  Please help.

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ANSWER:  I have kept this question in my files for many months, seeking an
answer for you that would help, and yet that could be backed up by solid proof
in the world of medical literature.  There simply wasn't enough evidence to
prove that oxygen really helped athletes during their active competition,
unless it was taken while they were actually involved in their endeavors.  The
reports on relief of distress symptoms were less convincing, and so I could
not provide the assistance you were seeking.  However a recent edition of the
Journal of the American Medical Association reports on new research, and I am
afraid you won't be happy with their conclusions.  Researchers at the
Department of Internal Medicine at the Baylor University Medical Center tested
the effects of 100% oxygen compared to room air, used during a five minute
rest period between bouts of exhausting treadmill exertion.  The twelve
subjects were members of a professional soccer team.  Blood tests to determine
the levels of lactate (a product of muscle metabolism) were conducted, in
addition to endurance tests on a treadmill, and the athletes preference for
100% oxygen compared to room air.  The researchers found that there was no
effect on the blood levels, and no difference in performance during the second
exercise session.  More astonishing, was the fact that the athletes could not
identify which gas they were breathing.  The conclusion of the study was that
"using 100% oxygen applied for short periods offers no advantage on recovery
from exhaustive exercise or on subsequent exercise performance".  This may
offer no help with your school board, but at least you can be sure your son
hasn't been deprived of any crucial advantage.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
