Supplemental Oxygen and Athletic Performance at High Altitude

Article

Supplemental oxygen is increasingly used by professional athletes—especially at high altitude—to counter reduced oxygen availability. At sea level, benefits are questionable: Physician’s Weekly argues it provides no meaningful physiologic advantage in normoxia [3], whereas its potential value in hypoxic environments is more plausible.

A review in PMC indicates that supplemental oxygen can improve performance in athletes exercising at moderate-to-high altitudes, where ambient oxygen pressure is low [1]. Oxygen inhalation may increase arterial oxygen saturation, delay fatigue, and improve perceived exertion, particularly during anaerobic or high-intensity intervals.

However, a study on professional athletes found that short-term use of 100% oxygen during recovery offered no advantage in post-exercise recovery or subsequent performance [2]. Similarly, another report concluded that supplemental O₂ during recovery did not enhance repeated strength-endurance performance in hypoxia [4]. These data suggest that even if acute oxygen delivery improves transiently, it may not translate into consistent performance gains.

Elite climbers and endurance athletes above ~2,500 m may derive more tangible benefits, but at lower altitudes and in well-acclimatized athletes, advantages are minimal. While not prohibited by WADA, supplemental oxygen’s use continues to be scrutinized in altitude competitions.