Ingestible Oxygen Supplementation does NOT Impact Maximal Aerobic Performance Measures

Oxygen supplementation has been used to improve physical performances for decades, most commonly in the form of bottled oxygen. Other forms of inhalable and/or ingestible oxygen have been investigated more recently with mixed results. An ingestible oxygen supplement (Ox66TM) consisting of oxygen molecules contained within an aluminum ion clathrate structure has been shown to increase SaO2 at rest and reduce inflammation in clinical settings. This ingestible oxygen enters through the portal vein rather than the pulmonary system. It is unclear whether this oxygen supplement would have an impact on factors related to maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max). PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ergogenic impact of acute Ox66TM ingestion on factors related to maximal aerobic performance. METHODS: 36 apparently healthy, college age participants completed the study (20 men, 16 women). Participants attended three testing sessions separated by at least 72 hours. During the first session, participants were familiarized with the Bruce protocol GXT and baseline measures were taken for VO2max, max blood lactate, max HR, time to exhaustion, max VE and RPE. Participants were then randomly assigned to double-blind placebo or oxygen supplementation during their second and third testing sessions. RESULTS: VO2max was significantly higher among all participants combined in the Ox66TM condition (p=.04). When separated by sex, the difference in VO2max was evident among women (p=.05), with no differences among the men. There were no other differences between placebo and supplement conditions for any other variables. CONCLUSION: Given that VO2max was determined using indirect calorimetry which assumes that VO2 is the difference between inspired and expired oxygen volumes, oxygen not taken in through the pulmonary system would not be measurable. Hypothetically, improvements would more likely be seen in time to exhaustion, blood lactate, heart rate, or RPE. In a post-hoc review, 10 of the 16 women completed the placebo condition first. Motivation to exceed their previous performance could explain improvement. Though statistically significant, the marginal improvement in VO2max among the women with Ox66TM (45.02 v. 45.82 ml*kg-1*min-1) would have little impact on overall aerobic performance

Repeated Maximal Exercise Measures are Very Reliable Among Healthy College-aged Individuals

The most common way to assess cardiovascular fitness is with a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) to determine the maximal rate of oxygen consumption (VO2 max). Maximal exercise efforts during GXT testing have been shown to be quite repeatable among active and sedentary adults, as well as cardiac patients and the elderly. With young, healthy participants, familiarization and motivation could result in improved performance measures with repeated testing. The reliability of maximal exercise measures among healthy college-aged individuals during repeated Bruce Protocol GXT assessments are yet unclear. PURPOSE: To determine how repeatable the VO2max and other maximal exercise indices were with repeated GXT measures among healthy, college-aged adults. METHODS: Thirty-six apparently healthy participants (20 men, 16 women) aged 21.47 ± 0.5 years completed three GXT testing sessions following the Bruce Protocol. The maximal values for VO2, blood lactate, VE, HR and Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) as well as time to exhaustion were recorded at the end of each session. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of the data was conducted using a one-way ANOVA by order of visit and a Tukey post-hoc analysis. With all participants combined, there were no differences in measured variables with one exception. Maximal RPE was higher in Visit 3 compared to Baseline (p=0.02). When men and the women were analyzed separately, there were no differences in RPE values among the men. Women reported a higher Max RPE in both Visit 2 and Visit 3 compared to Baseline. Despite the higher RPE values no other maximal measures were significantly different across testing sessions. CONCLUSION: This research confirms that repeated maximal GXT measures are very reliable among healthy college-aged individuals. The exception being a small but significant difference in self-reported maximal RPE values among women compared to baseline measures. Future studies could address potential reasons for the significant difference in women’s self-reported RPE values

The Effects of Ox66TM Supplementation on Ventilatory Threshold Performance Measures

Ox66TM claims to be the only solid form of oxygen known to be in existence. It is an aluminum hydroxide clathrate that can trap oxygen molecules within its structure and when digested the oxygen molecules can be absorbed into the portal bloodstream. It has previously been implemented in clinical settings to reduce hypoxia related medical conditions. However, it is currently unknown whether Ox66TM has an effect on performance measures at or near the ventilatory threshold during high intensity exercise. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ergogenic impact of acute Ox66TM ingestion on submaximal aerobic performance measures and ventilatory threshold during exercise testing using Bruce protocol. METHODS: 36 college age participants (20 males and 16 females) were recruited to complete this study. Participants attended three testing sessions. During the first session, baseline measurements were acquired and participants were familiarized with the testing procedures. During the second and third tests participants were randomized to receive either a placebo or the Ox66TM supplement. Heart rate, ventilatory threshold, respiratory exchange ratio and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded throughout each test. RESULTS: Overall there were no consistent differences between the placebo and Ox66TM conditions for all participants combined. However, when men and women were evaluated separately, there were a few significant differences. Under the Ox66TM condition men had a slightly higher VO2 (p=0.045) and higher heart rate (p=0.046) at ventilatory threshold. Women had a slightly lower RPE (p=0.047) at ventilatory threshold with the Ox66TM supplement. CONCLUSION: Ox66TM supplementation resulted in small improvements in a few submaximal aerobic performance measures. Although these results are statistically significant, it is unlikely that Ox66TM supplementation actually causes ergogenic performance benefits