Abstract
M.Tech. (Homoeopathy)
The ability to consume oxygen during exercise relies on the functionality of the cardiorespiratory system to deliver oxygen to the working muscles and therefore generate ATP or energy (Astrand et al., 2003).
Performance enhancement drugs are becoming increasingly popular as athletes are under extreme pressure to enhance their performance (Shermer, 2008). The purpose of this study was to look for a safe alternative to increase oxygen consumption during exercise.
The aim included determining whether the homeopathic remedy Arsenicum album 200CH had an effect on oxygen consumption during submaximal cycling.
The study consisted of 32 healthy participants who were randomly divided into a control (placebo) or experimental (treatment) group. Two baseline tests were performed where no medication (remedy or placebo) was given two days apart and the average of the two were taken as the baseline average. After a further two days, the first medication test was conducted after participants were given the treatment 5 minutes prior to testing to ascertain the immediate effect of the medication. The last test was performed after one week of administering where the medication was given twice daily to distinguish what the prolonged effect of the medication was on oxygen consumption.
The test consisted of a warm-up at 25-Watts for women and 50-Watts for men, the test included cycling at 3 minute increments where the wattage was increased every 3 minutes by 25-Watts until the participants reached their age-predicted maximum. When this maximum was reached, the wattage was decreased to the warm-up wattage and a cool-down commenced. Heart rate was recorded every minute and documented. The participant was also asked to rate their perceived rate
of exertion at the end of every 3minute stage, as a subjective measurement.
Although the time periods of administration yielded different results, both were statistically insignificant. The immediate administration showed a negative trend whereas the prolonged
administration showed a positive trend in the treatment group after one week. Despite not showing statistical significance, it warrants additional research over a longer period of time.