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Exercise With on Oxygen Therapy(EWOT) Is it safe?

Tue, 09/14/2010 - 3:05pm — Davo53209

Hello Dr. Squat

Just recently, I've stumble across an article which talks about a training regimen known as E.W.O.T, or otherwise known as Exercise With Oxygen Therapy. In short, the idea is to utilize supplemental oxygen, via the use of an oxygen concentrator while working out. The suggested claims include:

Increase energy and strength during exercise

• Burn up to 30% more calories & burn fat!
• Train at peak strength levels for accelerated conditioning

• Improve lactic-acid clearance
• Slow down aging

On a personal note, it sounds like another generic ad scheme; but what I find most disturbing is the rate of oxygen flow that's being suggested during exercise. In terms of liters/min, the suggested flow rate is anywhere between 5L/min to 10L/min for a duration of 15-20 minutes of exercise. To me, that flow rate sounds a bit excessive.

The bottom line question is if this method of training is safe and effecitive, plus if there are any reputatble studies that can back up these claims. Thank you.

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Thu, 09/16/2010 - 10:34pm — DrSquat
DrSquat's picture

Here's an old snippet I

Here's an old snippet I wrote years ago...

Breathing oxygen-enriched air as an aid to performance has been studied in the laborary for years. As the theory goes, doing so would improve the metabolic capabilities of the working muscles via delivery (cardiovascular system) or improved uptake and utilization (muscle cell mechanisms).

Alfred Morris, a research physiologist at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, reviewed the research literature in Melvin Williams’ excellent text, Anabolic Steroids in Sport (Human Kinetic Publishers, 1983). He found contradictory results throughout the literature but was still able to make some suggestions regarding use of oxygen by athletes.

First, the research literature seems clear that using oxygen (in a 60-100 percent mixture) before and after exercise or competition did not improve performance capabilities significantly, while using it during exercise or competition did. In the real world of sport, however, carrying abound an oxygen tank probably would nullify the beneficial edge provided, and probably would be considered illegal in competition.

In sports such as powerlifting, wrestling or decathlon, however, where bout after bout of exertion occurs with little time between, oxygen inhalation probably would be effective in several ways; aiding in removal of debilitating lactate concentrations from the working muscles; slowing production of lactic acid; improving VO2 max (the rate of oxygen utilization), and improving ventilatory rate (lowering breathing rate).

The exact oxygen mixture recommended for use is speculative, owing to the contradictory results of research on that subject.

Between 60-90 Percent seems to be the range most often recommended.

Fri, 09/17/2010 - 5:56pm — Davo53209

Exercise with Oxygen Training (EWOT) Is it Safe?

Thank you for the quick response and for this article. The other part to this piece of the puzzle, is if whether or not the rate of flow of O2 being suggested(i.e. 5L-10L/min) while exercising is safe to utilize.

Also, where can I get more detail info about this study?

Sincerely,

-Dave.