Breathe Right Nasal Strips and Sport Performance

Q: Do Breathe Right Tapes really improve sports performance?

A: Well, that depends on who you believe.

Since their creation, the Breathe Right Nasal Tapes have enjoyed positive publicity on the playing field, being endorsed by pro athletes in all sports. They have also come under heavy fire from sport scientists and researchers. The FDA approved Breathe Right Strips in June of 1996 for the temporary relief of breathing difficulties due to deviated nasal septum.

The Breathe Right strips adhere to the outside of the nose. Plastic springs in the tape then try to force it straight - spreading out the nostrils in the process. Whether or not opening up the nostrils has any effect on performance is the real question. Several controlled scientific studies have shown that the answer is no.

The manufacturers and their marketing department claims the strips decrease nasal airway resistance by 31%. But because the narrowest part of the nasal passage is higher up the nose, most experts (the Board & Editors of Running & Fitnews) disagree with those claims.

The U of WV reported that in a clinical study they found no difference in the endurance or physiological results of athletes who performed a maximal stress test with or without the Breathe Right. Another study showed no difference in the time of a 40 yd. sprint with or without the tapes.

Fred Hatfield, PhD FISSA, President, International Sports Sciences Association, agrees that Breathe Right Strips offer little sports performance advantage. As does professional coach, Arnie Baker, MD.

Outside Magazine offers a more moderate perspective. Author, Sara Corbett, agrues that while scientific evidence for or against the nasal strips is still lacking, the nasal strips clearly pose no threat to an athlete, so it can't hurt to try them.

The Mayo Clinic originally endorsed the strips for individuals with chronic allergies, colds , snorers and athletes who use mouth guards which hinder mouth breathing. Other reports offer conflicting results.

The final consideration is that during anything more than mild exertion we tend to breathe through the mouth, and not the nose. The use of a mouthguard in sport, may possibly reduce the flow of air through the mouth, and thus, make a case for the nasal tape, though scientific proof is still lacking.

Still, Breathe Right has many devoted users who claim they CAN breathe easier with the tape on their nose. Major League Soccer and CNS, Inc. have even signed an agreement that makes Breathe Right® nasal strips an "Official Locker Room Product,"

Some experts think it is likely, that the performance benefits are in the mind of the user - it makes them feel as though they can perform better. And any sport psychologist will tell you that the power of positive thinking may just be the key to a great performance.

Then again, what about vanity? Do you really care how silly you look wearing them?

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