MANILA, Philippines — As more athletes turn to supplemental oxygen for recovery and performance, questions have surfaced online about its legality in sports. Some skeptics even claim it was “considered doping.” But is there truth to this?
Let’s set the record straight.
What the science and regulations say
According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), inhaled supplemental oxygen is not, and has never been, considered a banned substance or method. It’s explicitly allowed in WADA’s current Prohibited List, which governs anti-doping rules in both amateur and professional sports worldwide.
“Supplemental oxygen administered by inhalation is permitted,” WADA states.
➤ View the full WADA Prohibited List
The only form of oxygen administration with restrictions is intravenous oxygen, which is banned due to its potential to artificially enhance the body’s oxygen-carrying capacity. Inhaled oxygen—such as what’s found in portable products like KINETIQQ Boost—does not alter blood composition and is used purely for short-term respiratory support and post-exertion recovery.
Do all sports federations allow it?
While WADA sets the global anti-doping standard, some federations have stricter competition-day rules that go beyond WADA’s guidelines. Here are a few notable examples:
-
International Ski Federation (FIS)
In 2018, German skier Stefan Luitz was disqualified for using supplemental oxygen between runs during a World Cup event. Although the Court of Arbitration for Sport later overturned this decision, the incident highlighted FIS’s stance against the use of supplemental oxygen during competitions.
-
International Tennis Federation (ITF) and United States Tennis Association (USTA)
Both organizations currently prohibit the use of supplemental oxygen during matches. This ban has been a point of contention, with calls from various stakeholders urging these bodies to reconsider their stance, especially given the demanding nature of the sport.
-
International Boxing Association (IBA)
In amateur boxing, the IBA explicitly prohibits the administration of supplemental oxygen to boxers during bouts. This rule aims to maintain fairness and ensure the safety of the athletes.
However, use outside of competition—during training, recovery, or even post-fight or post-match cooldown—is generally accepted across most sports.
In Most Sports, It's Widely Allowed
Despite isolated restrictions, the use of inhaled supplemental oxygen is broadly accepted in the global athletic community. In fact, it has become a common tool for recovery support in a wide range of high-performance environments. Here are just some of the sports where its use is well-established and permitted:
-
American Football: Commonly seen on NFL sidelines, players use oxygen to recover quickly between plays.
-
Basketball: Athletes at both professional and collegiate levels use oxygen during game and post-game recovery.
-
Cycling: Cyclists use it especially in high-altitude training and recovery to boost endurance and oxygen intake.
-
Track and Field / Athletics: Used to support recovery in sprinting, long-distance, and field events.
-
Motorsports: Drivers in Formula 1 and NASCAR utilize oxygen for stamina and mental clarity.
-
Ice Hockey: NHL players frequently rely on oxygen between intense shifts.
-
Swimming: Employed during training for better breathing efficiency and faster recovery.
-
Volleyball: Helps athletes recover between matches or during intensive training periods.
-
Professional Boxing: While restricted in amateur bouts, many pro fighters use oxygen during training or post-fight recovery.
-
Mountaineering & Climbing: Especially common in high-altitude expeditions, approved by the UIAA.
-
Air Sports: Supported by the FAI to prevent hypoxia at altitude.
These examples underscore that the majority of sports permit inhaled supplemental oxygen. The focus is on optimizing athlete well-being, not performance manipulation.
Why athletes use it
Inhaled supplemental oxygen helps athletes bounce back faster from exertion, especially in high-intensity sports. It’s also popular in high-altitude training and endurance activities where oxygen availability is a limiting factor.
Products like KINETIQQ Boost provide pure, portable oxygen in a canister—no stimulants and no banned substances. It’s designed to be a legal, non-invasive tool to support natural recovery.
Bottom line
Inhaled supplemental oxygen is not doping. It’s WADA-compliant, widely used, and accepted in most sports when used properly. However, athletes should always check with their sport’s governing body for any competition-specific rules or restrictions.
—
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace official advice from sports governing bodies or medical professionals.
