I tried nasal strips for cycling to find out if they're just the latest trend, or a real performance enhancer – here's how they stack up to the marketing claims
Cyclingnews••technology
Key Points:
- Nasal strips, popular in cycling for improving breathing efficiency, primarily aid low-intensity efforts by expanding nasal passages to promote nose breathing, which is more efficient at lower intensities but insufficient for high-intensity oxygen demands.
- Scientific research shows mixed results: while nasal strips increase nitric oxide production and may enhance CO2 tolerance and breathing economy at rest or low intensities, they do not improve high-intensity performance metrics like oxygen uptake or muscular endurance.
- Indirect benefits include improved sleep quality, reduced nasal congestion, better immune defense through filtered air, and enhanced comfort when eating during rides, all of which can contribute to overall cycling performance and recovery.
- Adhesive reliability varies, with some users experiencing strips loosening after about an hour, especially
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