Oxygen is essential for our bodies; it's needed to supply our organs, brain, and every cell with energy. Physical activity requires even more oxygen, especially aerobic sports like cycling. We absorb oxygen from the air, which is usually sufficient to meet our needs. Nevertheless, we often see athletes using oxygen masks during or after a game for extra oxygen. How does this help them?
Aerobic training is so named because it uses oxygen to produce the energy it needs. The process is called oxidative phosphorylation , in which ATP (adenosine triphosphate – the only molecule that powers our cells) is produced using oxygen and energy generated by digesting and metabolizing carbohydrates, fat, or protein. While cycling, we breathe heavily to supply enough oxygen for oxidative phosphorylation so that our effort can be sustained. Ideally, you ride at an intensity where you can take in more oxygen than you need so that you can keep going for a decent amount of time. However, if your workload is too high and your breathing can't take in enough oxygen, you will go through the following stages. With oxygen no longer available for energy production, your body temporarily switches to anaerobic respiration, including the phosphagen and glycolytic systems, which don't require oxygen to produce energy. These two systems provide a sudden burst of energy, but it cannot last long due to the limited reserves of the substances involved in the muscle cells. Furthermore, they convert glycogen into lactic acid, which causes cramps and muscle fatigue when it accumulates, impairing your performance. At the same time, your heart rate climbs rapidly, approaching its maximum. All of this indicates that you've reached your limit and can't continue. In this situation, only additional oxygen can save the day. With more oxygen, the blood can inhibit lactic acid production and remove any lactic acid already produced. Your heart rate will also decrease, as it no longer has to work to pump deoxygenated blood throughout your body. It's certainly a far better choice to utilize extra energy before you're pushed to your limits, allowing you to ride aerobically with relative ease and conserve your anaerobic energy for the final sprint.
Another way supplemental oxygen can improve your performance is through its impact on VO2 max. VO2 max measures the maximum rate at which your body can utilize oxygen during exercise. It's a good indicator of an athlete's cardiovascular status and aerobic capacity. The higher your VO2 max, the more effectively your body can use oxygen for energy production, and the less likely you are to switch to anaerobic breathing. VO2 is generally determined by cardiac output and the oxygen-carrying capacity of the muscles. It doesn't have much to do with the amount of oxygen you take in. If you take in more oxygen than you can use, the excess is wasted. So how does supplemental oxygen help with VO2? It's worth noting that supplemental oxygen doesn't just mean more oxygen, but oxygen of a higher concentration. Just as pressurized water or compressed air can pass through a filter more efficiently, highly concentrated oxygen can more easily enter your bloodstream and increase oxygen levels throughout your body. With increased VO2, oxygen is delivered and used more efficiently by your body, thus maintaining your blood oxygen saturation, allowing you to return to aerobic breathing more quickly and feel less tired while cycling.
Additional oxygen also improves your mental state. Many people don't realize that our brain is the organ in the body that requires the most oxygen, accounting for 20% of our oxygen intake. A lack of oxygen leads not only to physical but also to mental fatigue. This can be quite dangerous when cycling, as you can't concentrate on road conditions while traveling at high speed. So why not inhale some extra oxygen? Just a few breaths are enough to restore your focus and reduce your reaction time.
Overall, inhaling supplemental oxygen is a great way to meet your increased oxygen needs while cycling, keeping you energized and aiding in faster recovery. It also reduces the risk of accidents and injuries. If you've never ridden with supplemental oxygen before, why not give it a try? You're guaranteed improved performance and a much more enjoyable riding experience.