The effect of alcoholic essential oil of Mentha piperita L. on aerobic power and the time to reach anaerobic threshold in athletes males

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of inhaling alcoholic essential oil of Mentha piperita L. on aerobic power and the time to reach anaerobic threshold in athletes males. The subjects of this study were 20 athletes male (age: 20±4 years, height 175±5Cm, weight 68±4.2 Kg, VO2 max 43.21±3.34 ml/kg.min). They were divided into two groups randomly, inhaling alcoholic essential n=10 and control group n=10. First, subjects of the experimental group inhaled essential oil Mentha piperita and Ethanol for 30 minutes. Then they were tested by Conconi test and immediately after 15 minutes rest they were tested by Bruce test. The subjects of control group were tested in similar way but they inhaled water and alcohol. For comparing aerobic and anaerobic performance data were analyzed by T test for independent groups, but for examining the effect of inhaling odors we used ANOVA test (p<0.05). The results showed inhaling essential oil of Mentha piperita with different concentrations can significantly increase aerobic power and anaerobic threshold (p< 0.012). These was no similar significant differences in physical performance in control group. The benefit of inhaling odors may due to increasing in lung volume and capacity and stimulation of simpatico system. We suggest athletes can use inhaling peppermint odor for developing physical performance.