Avaliação direta da capacidade cardiorrespiratória máxima de adolescentes atletas de futebol com dilatador nasal externo

Abstract

Introduction: The external nasal dilator (END) increases the cross-sectional area of the nasal valve, reducing nasal resistance, and is widely used by coaches and health professionals as a tool to improve cardiorespiratory performance and nasal function. In soccer, there are several resources or equipment that measure physical capabilities and there are also those that assist in sports performance. This study aimed to compare cardiorespiratory capacity measured by the direct maximal cardiorespiratory test, the Subjective Perceived Exertion (SPE) and the Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF) in soccer players aged 14 to 17 years using the experimental END and the placebo END. Methodology Fifty-eight high- performance athletes who met the inclusion criteria were evaluated , all male. All participated in a randomized protocol in two conditions: with experimental END and with placebo. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO 2 max), subjective perceived exertion (SPE) after the maximum test and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) were evaluated. Results demonstrated that the use of END provided significant improvements in VO 2 max, an increase in PNIF and a reduction in PSE. The use of the experimental DNE showed significantly higher means than in the placebo condition in relation to the PNIF, being (220.5 ± 25.2 L/min and 204.1 ± 24.6) (p<0.001), in relation to VO2max. (58.5 ± 4.4 mL/Kg/min and 53.9 ± 3.5 mL/Kg/min (p<0.001), in relation to RPE (7.8 ± 0.8 and 9.0 ± 0.7) (p<0.001) respectively. This research was the first to our knowledge to discuss the evaluation of the direct measurement of VO2max in adolescent soccer athletes using the external nasal dilator. Conclusion The results revealed that the END is an effective tool to improve cardiorespiratory capacity, reduce RPE and optimize nasal function in adolescent athletes.