Abstract
The article summarizes the results of influence on the effect of continuous inhalation of concentrated oxygen on repeated short-term loads in ice hockey, carried out during breaks between such loads. A double-blind experiment was performed.
The probands (n = 10) were tested twice over a period of four days; each testing session involved two specific tests at the ice hockey stadium, carried out during a maximal load lasting about 50 second, ending with a shot on the goal. Before each test and during the break between the tests, the subjects randomly inhaled either concentrated oxygen or placebo through a mask.
The concentrated oxygen was supplied by an Everflo device. Placebo was inhaled from an identical mask with the device switched off.
The investigation showed a significant effect of concentrated oxygen inhalation on acceleration in both the tests as well as on lower heart rate values during and after the load, compared to the inhalation of placebo. The change in post-load lactate concentration was not statistically significant.
The results suggest the positive effect of continuous inhalation of concentrated oxygen in-between short-term loads in the described model load.