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BRIEF REPORT
Participants:
Forty participants (20 males, 20 females, mean age = 20.43
years) completed the study. All participants were students
at Wheeling Jesuit University and received course credit upon
completion of the experiment.
Stimulus:
Peak Performance Sports Inhaler
Nasal Exhalation Device:
Vitalograph AsmaPLAN+ Peak Flow Meter
Procedure:
Upon entering the testing facility, participants were instructed
as to the nature of the study and produced written consent
of participation. They were instructed to blow their nose
three (3) times in order to remove any mucous buildup in the
nasal cavity that may cause problems for experimental assessment
of nasal exhalation force.
Participants then took a deep breath and exhaled forcefully,
being instructed to exhale as hard as they could, exclusively
through their nose, into the nasal exhalation device. The
process was repeated three times, with the force in L/min
being recorded for each trial. Subsequently, participants
were instructed to insert the Peak Performance Sports Inhaler
into the nostril and inhale deeply. Participants inhaled
the peppermint odor, via the Peak Performance Sports Inhaler,
a total of three times per nostril, switching to the opposite
nostril after each administration. After inhalation, participants
once again were instructed to take a deep breath and exhale
forcefully, exclusively through their nose, into the nasal
exhalation device. The process was repeated three times,
with nasal force in L/min being recorded during each trial.
Results:
A paired samples t-test was performed between the average
exhalation force of the three control trials (non odorant)
and the average exhalation force of the three experimental
trials (peppermint odorant as delivered via the Peak Performance
Sports Inhaler). The average nasal force of the Peak Performance
Sports Inhaler condition (M=239.48 L/min, SD=116.79 L/min)
was significantly greater than the non odorant control condition
(M=224.43 L/min, SD=112.67 L/min, t = -2.975, p=.005.
Table 1: Nasal Force Means and Standard
Deviations For Each Trial and the Average Across Trials
| Trial |
Control Condition |
Experimental Condition |
| |
|
|
| 1 |
205.18
L/min
(108.16) |
233.48
L/min
(112.86) |
|
|
|
| 2 |
234.23
L/min
(117.55)
|
240.53
L/min
(121.00) |
|
|
|
| 3 |
233.90
L/min
(121.78) |
244.45
L/min
(124.16) |
|
|
|
| Average |
224.43
L/min
(112.67) |
239.48
L/min
(116.79) |
Summary:
Participants' average force of nasal exhalation after inhaling
the peppermint odor via the Peak Performance Sports Inhaler
was significantly greater than their force of nasal exhalation
when no odor was administered. Thus, the Peak Performance
Sports Inhaler does in fact have a significant effect on the
nasal dilation and lung capacity of individuals.
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