Oxygen Cost of Exercise

    Last Updated: October 13, 2024

    The oxygen cost of exercise refers to the rate of oxygen uptake measured during aerobic exercise performed at an intensity below the lactate threshold. Because oxygen is required to generate energy (adenosine triphosphate, ATP), the oxygen cost of exercise indicates the energy demands placed on the body during exercise. Endurance training causes adaptations that decrease the oxygen cost of exercise, which means that less energy is required for exercise. This adaptation indicates an improvement in efficiency (sometimes also referred to as economy).

    1,249 participants in 12 trials

    Examine Database: Oxygen Cost of Exercise

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    Examine Database References

    1. Spirulina - Tom Gurney, Owen SpendiffSpirulina supplementation improves oxygen uptake in arm cycling exerciseEur J Appl Physiol.(2020 Dec)
    2. Fish Oil - Lachlan Hingley, Michael J Macartney, Marc A Brown, Peter L McLennan, Gregory E PeoplesDHA-rich Fish Oil Increases the Omega-3 Index and Lowers the Oxygen Cost of Physiologically Stressful Cycling in Trained IndividualsInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab.(2017 Aug)
    3. Nitrate - Lansley KE, Winyard PG, Fulford J, Vanhatalo A, Bailey SJ, Blackwell JR, DiMenna FJ, Gilchrist M, Benjamin N, Jones AMDietary nitrate supplementation reduces the O2 cost of walking and running: a placebo-controlled studyJ Appl Physiol.(2011 Mar)
    4. Vitamin C - Carrillo AE, Murphy RJ, Cheung SSVitamin C supplementation and salivary immune function following exercise-heat stressInt J Sports Physiol Perform.(2008 Dec)
    5. Echinacea - Whitehead MT, Martin TD, Scheett TP, Webster MJRunning economy and maximal oxygen consumption after 4 weeks of oral Echinacea supplementationJ Strength Cond Res.(2012 Jul)
    6. Arginine - Abel T, Knechtle B, Perret C, Eser P, von Arx P, Knecht HInfluence of chronic supplementation of arginine aspartate in endurance athletes on performance and substrate metabolism - a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studyInt J Sports Med.(2005 Jun)
    7. Panax Ginseng (Korean Ginseng) - Ping FW, Keong CC, Bandyopadhyay AEffects of acute supplementation of Panax ginseng on endurance running in a hot & humid environmentIndian J Med Res.(2011 Jan)
    8. Nitrate - Kelly J, Fulford J, Vanhatalo A, Blackwell JR, French O, Bailey SJ, Gilchrist M, Winyard PG, Jones AMEffects of short-term dietary nitrate supplementation on blood pressure, O2 uptake kinetics, and muscle and cognitive function in older adultsAm J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol.(2013 Jan 15)
    9. Phosphatidylserine - Kingsley MI, Miller M, Kilduff LP, McEneny J, Benton DEffects of phosphatidylserine on exercise capacity during cycling in active malesMed Sci Sports Exerc.(2006 Jan)
    10. Arginine - Stephen J. Bailey, Paul G. Winyard, Anni Vanhatalo, Jamie R. Blackwell, Fred J. DiMenna, Daryl Paul Wilkerson, and Andrew M. JonesAcute L-arginine supplementation reduces the O2 cost of moderate-intensity exercise and enhances high-intensity exercise toleranceJournal of Applied Physiology.()
    11. Astaxanthin - Res PT, Cermak NM, Stinkens R, Tollakson TJ, Haenen GR, Bast A, Van Loon LJAstaxanthin supplementation does not augment fat use or improve endurance performanceMed Sci Sports Exerc.(2013 Jun)
    12. Nitrate - The effects of dietary nitrate supplementation on endurance exercise performance and cardiorespiratory measures in healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis..()