Abstract des Autors

With considerable interest, the authors are following developments concerning the increasingly popular practice of breathing oxygen (O2)-enriched air (normobaric hyperoxia) in an attempt to improve both athletic performance and recovery, especially by elite endurance athletes.
Administration of supplemental O2 is not prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and indeed, there is striking evidence that when administered at sea-level, hyperoxia (i.e., an inspired fraction of O2 (FiO2) greater than normoxic FiO2 >0.2095) improves power output by 2.4–16.5% during both maximal and submaximal cycling.
Questions like how acute hyperoxia can improve human performance as well as potential health concerns related to hyperoxic breathing or ethical considerations will be adressed. (geändert)