Repovich, W. E., Roehl, M. J., & Coelho, A. J. (1998). Effectiveness of the Breathe Right on Ve and RPE in collegiate distance runners. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30(5), Supplement abstract 187.

This study examined the effects of the Breathe Right nasal strip on Ve and RPE in aerobic and anaerobic steady state exercises. A maximal treadmill test using a modified Astrand protocol was performed and various measures of respiration and heart rate were taken. Three trials were performed: one with a Breathe Right strip, one without, and one with a placebo.

It was found that the Breathe Right nasal dilator did not increase oxygenation at any level of steady state exercise.

Implication. Any benefit from using a nasal strip is likely to be purely psychological since no physiological benefits have been observed.

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