Ingestion of oxygenated water enhances lactate clearance kinetics in trained runners

Background: drinks with higher dissolved oxygen concentrations have in recent times gained popularity as a potential ergogenic aid,despite a lack of evidence regarding their efficacy. the aim of this study was to assess effects of ingestion of an oxygen supplement (os) on exercise performance and post-exercise recovery in a group of trained runners. methods: trained male runners (n = 25,mean ± sd; age 23 ± 6 years,mass 70 ± 9 kg,bmi 21.9 ± 2.7 kg.m-2 vo2max 64 ± 6ml.kg-1.min-1),completed a randomised double blinded,crossover study to assess the effect of ingestion of os solution on exercise performance and recovery. trials consisted of a 30min rest period,5min warm-up,a 5000m treadmill time-trial,and a 30min passive recovery. participants ingested 6x15ml of either os or a taste matched placebo during the trials (3 during the rest phase,1 during exercise and 2 during the recovery). muscle tissue o2 saturation was measured via near infrared spectroscopy. blood lactate concentrations were measured prior to,mid-way and directly after the finish of the 5000m time trials and every 3-min during the post-exercise recovery. results: ingestion of os did not improve exercise performance. no significant differences were observed for muscle tissue o2 saturation at any time-points. however,lactate clearance was significantly improved during recovery in the os trials. both auc (109 ± 32 vs. 123 ± 38 mmol.min,p < 0.05,d = 0.40) and lactate half-life (λ) (1127 ± 272 vs. 1223 ± 334 s,p < 0.05,d = 0.32) were significantly reduced. conclusions: despite no evidence of improved exercise performance,ingestion of os did enhance post-exercise recovery via increased lactate clearance. © 2017 the author(s).