Ammonia Inhalant Effect on Force Production, Lab Reports of Sport Studies

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EFFECTS OF IMMONIA INHALANTS ON FORCE PRODUCTION IN ATHLETES

BY

HARRISON SHEELER

BIOLOGY 106 LAB BLUE SECTION

APRIL 8, 2021

Abstract Ammonia Inhalants (AI) have been thought to temporarily increase muscular strength for short bouts. This is through an increased focus due to the reaction of the respiratory system after inhaling the AIs. The objective of this study was to prove that AIs caused an increase in force production from highly trained athletes from Carson-Newman’s football team. Fifteen athletes were selected, but only ten could complete the test. At the end of the experiment, it was found that the AIs showed no significant improvement in upper body or lower body force production. Although, no differences in performance were observed, all the athletes reported an increase in focus and feeling more energetic and led them to believe that they would perform better. This means that the athletes may continue use even if there isn’t an increase in performance. Introduction Athletic competitions in society today have never been more emphasized. The pressure to win has opened many ideas to gain an edge in any way possible. Ammonia inhalants (AI) and other ergogenic aids have been a large part of competitions in recent years. AI is thought to have a positive impact on athletic performance, specifically on short term power and strength output. This study will be specifically looking at the effect AI has on force output in advanced weightlifting males on Carson Newman’s football team. AIs are found in a crystalized powder contained by a capsule you crack or a container that is resealable. AIs are categorized as a respiratory stimulant that irritates the nasal and lung membranes when inhaled. This irritation causes and involuntary inhalation, which is reported to accelerate respiration and trigger a “state of higher consciousness” (Sherman, J, et. al 2014). This heightened state puts the body into its sympathetic state of “flight or fight”. Considering the

measurement will be in inches. The kneeling power ball chest toss (PBCT) was measured by feet from the release of the ball to where it lands. The athlete is in a kneeling position and uses only upper body to propel the ball through space and time in a horizontal direction. Both tests are one repetition, maximum effort exercises. Results For the purpose of this experiment the athletes performed both tests on two separate occasions. Both on a Monday at one o’clock but separated by a week. Monday was picked because the athletes would be rested from the weekend. Lifestyle changes such as nutrition and sleep were not encouraged from week one to week two in an effort to ensure validity. The first round of testing was performed without the aid of AI, while the second round would have the AI administered. The results came after of the 10 athletes completed both rounds of testing. Five of the potential subjects couldn’t finish the study due to injury. The VJ average was 30.31 inches with a standard deviation of =/- .29. The PBCT average was 21.27 feet with a standard deviation of =/-.38.

Athletes VJ Week 1 VJ Week 2 PBCT Week 1 PBCT Week 2 1 31.6 31.9 19.0 18. 2 30.3 30.2 20.3 20. 3 29.8 29.6 22.9 22. 4 31.1 30.5 20.1 19. 5 37.3 37.1 16.0 16. 6 26.1 25.7 26.0 25. 7 29.1 28.6 22.8 23. 8 30.6 30.8 19.0 18. 9 30.0 29.9 21.6 21. 10 27.2 27.5 25.0 24. Discussion From the data derived from the tests, it is shown that there was no significant increase from week one to week two of the testing. This shows that in this study, the AI did not have the desired effect of increasing force production. There are other factors that could have played a role in the experiment. For example, lifestyle changes were left up to the athlete and while they should have steady sleep cycles and eating times, they could have been deficient in either. Also, these tests were conducted in-season so chronic fatigue could have been a factor as well. Also, the sample size was smaller due to many factors. Although no physiological change occurred, psychologically there was a difference. All the subjects reported feeling more “amped up” after using the AI and believed they would perform at a higher level. This psychological effect could have benefits. If an athlete is tired or fatigued, perhaps an AI could heighten arousal to what is

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