Athletic performance is directly and significantly reliant on the health and vitality of the player. Irrespective of the sport they’re associated with, athletes are always looking for ways to push their limits to achieve greater feats. In this pursuit, oxygen supplementation has shown promise for athletes aiming for improved performance.

There are multiple ways to take supplemental oxygen for optimal cardiovascular function and facilitate other benefits that it accompanies. The main contenders in the arena are EWOT and canned oxygen. Athletes can enjoy a boost of extra oxygen in their system during a match or later in recovery. In this guide, we are comparing these approaches based on a number of factors. So, walk with us until we reach a verdict on which is better and why.

Understanding EWOT and Canned Oxygen

Definition and Components: EWOT involves breathing highly oxygen-enriched air during physical exercise. It typically includes an oxygen reservoir and a mask for oxygen delivery. Canned oxygen, on the other hand, is portable supplemental oxygen that comes in small, lightweight containers.

EWOT equipment is designed to facilitate oxygen delivery during exercise, enriching the body's oxygen supply and potentially improving performance. It consists of an EWOT reservoir – the oxygen source, a mask or nasal cannula, tubing, and an exercise machine. Users breathe in the highly oxygen-enriched air while engaging in physical activities such as jogging, cycling, or rowing.

Historical Background: The use of supplemental oxygen in sports has a rich history, with both EWOT and canned oxygen evolving over time to meet the needs of athletes.

Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT) is a method that has been gaining traction among athletes and fitness enthusiasts. This technique involves breathing in highly oxygen-enriched air during physical exercise to boost oxygen delivery to the muscles. EWOT typically uses an oxygen reservoir, a mask, and tubing to supply the oxygen while the individual works out.

On the other hand, Canned oxygen is exactly what it sounds like – oxygen that comes in a can. These portable containers hold oxygen in a compressed form, allowing users to inhale supplemental oxygen when needed. Canned oxygen is often used for a quick oxygen boost, making it particularly appealing to athletes and individuals engaged in high-intensity activities.

While canned oxygen gained popularity due to its convenience of use, its compact size is also a limitation. On average, an individual can easily use 50 to 60 liters of oxygen per minute during a cardio-respiratory activity. If you use the canned option, you only get a small burst of 5 liters of oxygen. However, One Thousand Roads’ carries 1000 liters to aid a 15-minute cardiovascular workout.

Use Cases: Athletes turn to EWOT and canned oxygen in various scenarios, such as high-altitude training, recovery, and addressing respiratory conditions.

High-altitude training and endurance sports often require specialized techniques and equipment to optimize performance and acclimatization. The use of supplemental oxygen in these contexts is a well-documented strategy employed by mountaineers, endurance athletes, and sports enthusiasts. This technique can significantly affect an individual's ability to adapt to high altitudes and improve athletic performance.

Canned oxygen, essentially oxygen stored in a portable canister, is gaining popularity among athletes and individuals needing a quick oxygen boost. These small, lightweight containers provide immediate access to supplemental oxygen, making them convenient for on-the-go use.

The Science Behind Oxygen Supplementation

Oxygen and Athletic Performance: Oxygen plays a vital role in athletic performance, enhancing endurance, reducing fatigue, and improving overall physical capabilities.

The fundamental concept behind oxygen supplementation in sports is to enhance the availability of oxygen to working muscles. Oxygen is a crucial component in producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy source for muscle contractions during physical activity. An increase in oxygen supply can potentially improve ATP production and delay the onset of fatigue, allowing athletes to perform at higher intensities for longer durations.

Impact on Oxygen Saturation: EWOT and canned oxygen influence oxygen saturation in the body, ensuring that muscles receive an adequate oxygen supply.

During exercise, the oxygen saturation of arterial blood (SpO2) can drop, leading to reduced oxygen delivery to muscles. This decrease in SpO2 is common during high-intensity activities and is often associated with the "burn" or fatigue experienced by athletes. Individuals can counteract this drop in SpO2 by supplementing with additional oxygen, potentially allowing for prolonged high-intensity efforts.

Metabolic Effects: The metabolic changes that occur during exercise with supplemental oxygen are crucial for understanding their effects on athletic performance.

The metabolic effects of oxygen supplementation can influence how the body generates and utilizes energy. In particular, the increase in oxygen availability can enhance the aerobic energy system, which relies on oxygen to produce ATP. This system is essential for endurance activities and can provide a competitive advantage to athletes who require prolonged stamina.

Advantages of EWOT

EWOT offers advantages such as improved oxygen delivery to muscles, potentially enhancing endurance and overall performance.

Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT) offers several potential advantages for athletes and fitness enthusiasts:

1. Enhanced Oxygen Delivery: The primary benefit of EWOT is the significantly elevated oxygen levels delivered to the body. By breathing highly oxygen-enriched air, athletes may experience improved oxygen delivery to working muscles, which can lead to enhanced endurance and reduced fatigue during exercise.
2. Potential Performance Gains: Improved oxygen delivery can result in increased aerobic capacity, allowing athletes to sustain higher exercise intensities for longer durations. This can lead to better overall performance in endurance-based sports and activities.
3. Faster Recovery: Some individuals report quicker recovery following intense workouts when incorporating EWOT into their training routines. This may be attributed to the improved oxygen supply to muscles and the body's ability to remove metabolic waste products.
4. Oxygen availability:  EWOT can deliver up to 1000 otters of continuous oxygen, allowing the body to take in oxygen over the course of a full workout.  Canned oxygen can only offer intermittent boosts of oxygen with just 5% of the oxygen available.
5. Research-backed:  EWOT offers research-based science showing improvements in recovery, endurance, and athletic performance.  Professional athletes and Olympic teams have depended on EWOT to give them a competitive edge.

Advantages of Canned Oxygen

Benefits: Canned oxygen is highly portable and offers immediate access to supplemental oxygen, making it attractive for athletes.

Canned oxygen, on the other hand, offers specific advantages that appeal to athletes and individuals engaged in high-intensity activities:

1. Portability: Canned oxygen is extremely portable. It comes in small, lightweight canisters that can be carried in a gym bag, backpack, or pocket. This portability provides immediate access to supplemental oxygen whenever it's needed.
2. Convenience: Using canned oxygen is simple and convenient. Athletes can quickly inhale oxygen as required during workouts or competitions, making it an attractive option for on-the-go use.
3. Acclimatization: Canned oxygen can be particularly useful in high-altitude settings. It can aid in acclimatization to lower oxygen levels at high altitudes, allowing individuals to perform better in such environments.

Which is Better for Athletic Performance?

In the quest to determine which method is superior for athletic performance, it's important to consider the specific context and athletic goals. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and the choice between exercise with an oxygen concentrator and canned oxygen depends on several factors:

Exercise Type: The type of exercise being performed plays a significant role in deciding between EWOT and canned oxygen. High-intensity workouts or sports that require rapid bursts of energy may benefit from the quick accessibility of canned oxygen. Conversely, EWOT may be more suitable for endurance-based activities where a sustained oxygen supply is necessary.

Portability and Convenience: Canned oxygen is exceptionally portable and convenient, making it a practical choice for athletes on the move, such as mountain climbers and hikers. For athletes who require flexibility in their training routines, the convenience of canned oxygen can be a deciding factor.

Training Goals: Individual training objectives also influence the choice. Athletes seeking to improve endurance and stamina may favor EWOT, as it provides a prolonged, controlled oxygen supply, which is crucial for longer workouts. Canned oxygen may be preferred for those focusing on power and short bursts of energy.

Health Considerations: Athletes with specific health concerns or respiratory conditions should consult healthcare professionals. They can provide guidance on whether oxygen supplementation is suitable and which method is safer based on individual health circumstances.

Altitude and Environmental Conditions: If an athlete frequently trains or competes at high altitudes or in extreme environments, the choice may be influenced by the need for acclimatization and oxygen availability in such conditions.

The Verdict

In conclusion, the choice between EWOT and canned oxygen for athletic performance ultimately depends on individual needs, training goals, and specific scenarios. However, in terms of long-term benefits, an EWOT reservoir is a better choice to introduce to your training session.

Nonetheless, it's crucial for athletes to seek professional guidance, especially those with respiratory conditions or unique health considerations, before integrating oxygen supplementation into their training routines.

As the world of sports and fitness continues to evolve, so do the methods available for enhancing athletic performance. The debate of EWOT vs. canned oxygen reflects the adaptability and innovation within the industry. What remains constant is the commitment of athletes to push their limits, explore new frontiers, and reach their full potential.