Evaluation of the effectiveness of the external nasal dilator strip in adolescent athletes: a randomized trial.

Objectives: Evaluate the cardio-respiratory capacity (VO₂max.) and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) of healthy adolescent athletes with experimental and placebo external nasal dilator strips (ENDS).

Methods: 48 healthy adolescent athletes between the ages of 11 and 15 were evaluated and submitted to a cardio-respiratory 1000 m race in randomized order. The participants had peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) values measured using the In-check-inspiratory flow meter. Dyspnea intensity was evaluated after a 1000 m test race using a labeled visual analog scale for dyspnea.

Results: In relation to VO2max., when the participants used the experimental ENDS, significantly higher means were noted than when the placebo was used (53.0 ± 4.2 mL/kg min(-1) and 51.2 ± 5.5 mL/kg min(-1), respectively) (p<0.05). In relation to PNIF, there was a statistically significant difference between the experimental and placebo ENDS result, that being, 123 ± 38 L/min and 116 ± 38 L/min, respectively (p<0.05). The dyspnea perceived by the participants was representatively lesser in the experimental ENDS condition compared to the placebo after the cardio-respiratory test (p<0.05).

Conclusions: The results suggest that the ENDS improve maximal oxygen uptake, nasal patency and respiratory effort in healthy adolescent athletes after submaximal exercise.