Cardiorespiratory and perceptual responses to external nasal dilator use during maximal exercise in adolescent soccer players

To examine the effects of an external nasal dilator (END) on nasal airflow, maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2 max), ventilatory responses, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) during maximal exercise in adolescent soccer players. Methods Fifty-eight healthy male adolescent soccer players (14–17 years), training six sessions per week, participated in a randomized, paired, single-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Each participant completed two maximal cardiopulmonary exercise tests using a ramp protocol under experimental END and placebo conditions. Peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) was assessed before exercise, whereas VO 2 max, minute ventilation (VE), ventilatory equivalents (VE/VO 2 and VE/VCO 2 ), and RPE were evaluated during maximal exercise. Results Compared with placebo, END increased PNIF (220.5 ± 25.2 vs. 199.7 ± 24.3 L/min; d = 2.17), VO 2 max (58.5 ± 4.4 vs. 53.9 ± 3.5 mL/kg/min; d = 2.45), VE (116.4 ± 14.4 vs. 108.0 ± 13.7 L/min; d = 1.73), VE/VO 2 (32.0 ± 2.3 vs. 29.1 ± 2.0; d = 2.25), and VE/VCO 2 (28.3 ± 1.4 vs. 26.5 ± 1.2; d = 1.88), with all comparisons reaching statistical significance ( p < 0.001). RPE was also lower with END than with placebo ( p < 0.001). Conclusion END use improved nasal airflow, VO 2 max, ventilatory responses, and reduced perceived exertion during maximal exercise in trained adolescent soccer players. These findings indicate that reducing nasal airflow resistance favorably influences the physiological responses to maximal exercise.