Author(s): KOWALSKI, T., WILK, A., REBIS, K., KLUSIEWICZ, A., WIECHA, S., PALECZNY, B., Institution: INSTITUTE OF SPORT - NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, Country: POLAND, Abstract-ID: 115

INTRODUCTION:
The analysis of chemoreflex and baroreflex sensitivity in clinical and sports settings provides valuable information regarding respiratory and cardiovascular function. Therefore, it may contribute to optimizing patient care and athletic performance. Due to the limited feasibility of golden standard clinical tests, breath-holding tests have gained popularity as an alternative evaluation of reflex control over the cardiorespiratory system.

Body Oxygen Level Test (BOLT) is one of the most popular subjective breath-holding tests in sports settings. According to its proponents, the BOLT score reflects the body’s sensitivity to carbon dioxide and homeostasis disturbances, providing feedback on exercise tolerance. Popularized by Patrick McKeown and “The Oxygen Advantage®​​” method, it is frequently mentioned in literature, podcasts, videos, and workshops worldwide.

Despite its popularity, BOLT has never been scientifically validated or linked with athletic performance in highly-trained individuals. Therefore, we investigated the association of BOLT scores with the results of well-established performance tests in elite speedskaters.

METHODS:
A group of 49 elite speedskaters (n=33 males, age 19.16 ± 2.33 years, VO2max 59.51 ± 5.14 mL/kg/min; n=16 females, age 19.53 ± 4.06 years, VO2max 49.53 ± 4.80 mL/kg/min) representing national teams from 3 countries performed BOLT, Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT), and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a cycloergometer. Peak power, total work, and power drop were measured during WAnT. Time to exhaustion and VO2max were measured during CPET. Spearman’s rank correlation and multiple linear regression were performed to analyze the association of BOLT scores with parameters obtained during the tests, age, somatic indices, and years of training.

RESULTS:
No significant correlations between BOLT scores and parameters obtained during WAnT and CPET were found, r(47) = -.17 to .01, p = .25 to .98. The parameters obtained during the tests, age, somatic indices, and years of training were not significant in multiple linear regression (p = .38 to .85). The top-performing regression model showed an R2 of only 0.08 and RMSE of 9.78.

CONCLUSION:
Numerous narrations and services related to breathing are now promoted with claims of therapeutic or performance benefits. However, our findings do not confirm a significant relationship between BOLT scores and athletic performance. Age, somatic indices, and years of training were not significant in our analysis. The source of the lack of relationship between BOLT and investigated variables remains to be established. Speculatively, it may be associated with BOLT’s limitations, narrow variability of reflex sensitivity in elite athletes, both, or other factors. It is recommended not to interpret BOLT concerning athletic performance in the elite population.