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THE EFFECT OF AMMONIA INHALANTS ON ANEROBIC PERFORMANCE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL VARIABLES

Abstract

Kalee Beardsley, Peighton Cumbie, Justin Moody, Tyler D. Williams, Christopher G. Ballmann, FACSM, Rebecca R. Rogers. Samford University, Birmingham, AL.

BACKGROUND: Recently ammonia inhalants have been used by weightlifters and athletes for their potential ability to improve exercise performance and their stimulative properties; however, research reveals mixed results. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effects of ammonia inhalants on anaerobic exercise performance and psychological responses. METHODS: Physically active, college-age females (21.4±0.8 yrs, 132.9±24.1 lbs, 65.4±2.8 in) were recruited into the study. The study was approved by the university Institutional Review Board. All participants completed a health history and informed consent. Participants visited our laboratory two times and completed three 15-second Wingate Anaerobic Cycling Tests (WAnT) at 7.5% of body weight on a Velotron cycle ergometer after sniffing a 0.33 cc ammonia capsule or placebo (water) in a randomized, cross-over design. After each WAnT participants were asked their rate of perceived exertion (RPE). There was a 2-minute recovery break between each WAnT. RESULTS: Mean watts (p=0.59), peak watts (p=0.23), anaerobic capacity (p=0.17), anaerobic power (p=0.08), fatigue index (p=0.06), heart rate (p=0.11), and RPE (p=0.33) were averaged over the three repeated WAnTs and were not significantly different between the ammonia salts and placebo conditions. CONCLUSION: These findings do not support the use of smelling ammonia inhalants to improve anaerobic performance and ammonia inhalants do not appear to change the psychological variable of perceived exertion.

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