Sport Today
27 Jan 2025
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Will Cycling Ban Carbon Monoxide (CO) Rebreathing?

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The world of professional cycling is once again under scrutiny as the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the sport’s governing body, is expected to vote on a potential ban of carbon monoxide (CO) rebreathing equipment. This controversial practice, which involves athletes inhaling small amounts of carbon monoxide, has sparked debates within the cycling community about its safety, ethical implications, and potential for performance enhancement.

While there is currently no rule specifically prohibiting the use of carbon monoxide rebreathing equipment, recent revelations about its use by some of the biggest teams in cycling have raised concerns. The UCI is now set to make a decision that could change the way altitude training and blood testing are approached in the sport. This article explores what carbon monoxide rebreathing is, how it is used in cycling, the potential risks involved, and the ongoing discussions surrounding its future in the sport.

What is Carbon Monoxide (CO) Rebreathing?

Carbon monoxide rebreathing is a practice that has been utilized in endurance sports for many years. The process involves athletes inhaling a controlled amount of carbon monoxide, a dangerous gas produced during the burning of any organic material. The purpose of this rebreathing technique is to measure the amount of haemoglobin in an athlete’s blood, which is a key indicator of how well their body can transport oxygen.

Haemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells, and its primary function is to carry oxygen throughout the body. The higher the levels of haemoglobin in the blood, the greater the capacity to transport oxygen to the muscles, which is crucial for endurance sports. By measuring these levels before and after altitude training, athletes and coaches can determine how effectively the body is adapting to the reduced oxygen environment of high-altitude training camps.

The carbon monoxide (CO) rebreathing process typically involves using a machine that delivers both oxygen and carbon monoxide through an integrated rebreathing circuit. This allows the athlete to inhale the gases and provides data on the haemoglobin levels in their blood. This practice is typically used in combination with altitude training to optimize performance.

Why Is the UCI Considering a Ban on CO Rebreathing?

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The Carbon Monoxide rebreathing machine in question

While carbon monoxide rebreathing has been a relatively common practice in sports science, its use in cycling has come under the spotlight in recent years. Stories have emerged about some of the top professional cycling teams, including UAE Team Emirates and Visma-Lease a Bike, utilizing the method to measure haemoglobin levels in their riders before and after altitude training sessions. The UCI’s decision to vote on a potential ban stems from concerns over the safety and ethics of the practice.

At the core of the debate is the question of whether carbon monoxide rebreathing could be used to enhance performance. Though the practice is not explicitly banned, the UCI is concerned that it could be misused if done repeatedly. There are also health risks associated with inhaling carbon monoxide, which is a poisonous gas. The UCI has made it clear that its primary motivation is ensuring the safety of athletes, with the potential for performance enhancement being a secondary concern.

Can Carbon Monoxide (CO) Rebreathing Enhance Performance?

The big question surrounding carbon monoxide rebreathing is whether it can actually enhance performance. According to Carsten Lundby, the co-founder of Detalo Health, the company that manufactures CO rebreathing devices, the technique could have some impact on haemoglobin levels, but only if used repeatedly over an extended period of time.

Lundby explains that inhaling carbon monoxide once or twice would not have any lasting impact on an athlete’s performance. “When you inhale carbon monoxide, you reduce the oxygen content of blood, so all of a sudden the body behaves as if you are at high altitude,” he says. “This will do nothing to your performance.” However, he acknowledges that repeated use of the device over several weeks could lead to increased haemoglobin levels, which could potentially enhance an athlete’s performance.

While Lundby insists that this would be considered a misuse of the device, the concern remains that some teams may be using it in a way that could provide an unfair advantage. The potential for CO rebreathing to become a performance-enhancing tool has prompted the UCI to consider taking action.

Are There Risks to Using Carbon Monoxide (CO) Rebreathing?

While the potential for performance enhancement is a concern, the bigger issue with carbon monoxide rebreathing is the health risks associated with inhaling the gas. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that can cause poisoning if inhaled in large quantities. Even small doses of carbon monoxide can be dangerous, particularly if the exposure is prolonged.

The risks of CO poisoning include headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness or death. This makes the use of carbon monoxide in sports a highly controversial subject. The UCI has expressed concerns about the safety of carbon monoxide rebreathing and is considering a ban to protect the health of athletes. The organization has stated that it is not necessarily seeking to eliminate the practice because of its potential to enhance performance, but rather due to the health risks involved.

Wada (World Anti-Doping Agency) has also weighed in on the debate, highlighting that while there is no definitive evidence linking carbon monoxide rebreathing to performance enhancement, there is enough uncertainty to warrant further investigation. Wada has acknowledged that repeated exposure to carbon monoxide could potentially enhance the body’s ability to transport oxygen, but it also notes the serious health risks associated with inhaling the gas.

What Do the Teams Think About Carbon Monoxide (CO) Rebreathing?

Cycling teams that have used carbon monoxide rebreathing equipment in the past are divided on the issue. Some teams, such as Chris Froome’s Israel-Premier Tech, have publicly stated that the devices are used solely for testing purposes and are not intended to enhance performance. “Israel-Premier Tech’s sole use is for testing purposes to measure the impact of altitude training,” the team has said. This stance reflects the belief that carbon monoxide rebreathing is a legitimate method of measuring the body’s adaptation to high-altitude conditions.

Visma Lease a Bike, another team that has used CO rebreathing, has also defended the practice, calling it “a completely normal practice in multiple sports” and stating that it is neither harmful to health nor performance-enhancing when used appropriately.

However, there is growing concern among some cycling insiders that the UCI’s decision could have significant implications for the sport, and teams are uncertain about how a potential ban will affect their training methods. Carsten Lundby, whose company supplies the rebreathing devices, has voiced confusion over the UCI’s plans to allow the practice in “medical settings.” Lundby questions what qualifies as a medical setting and whether this exemption will be applicable to the devices used by teams in training environments.

What Might Happen Next for Carbon Monoxide (CO) Rebreathing in Cycling?

The UCI is set to make a decision regarding the future of carbon monoxide rebreathing in cycling on February 1. The vote could lead to an immediate ban, but there is still significant ambiguity surrounding what constitutes a “medical setting” where the practice might still be allowed. The UCI has indicated that it is primarily concerned with safety, but the possibility of performance enhancement cannot be ignored.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) is also investigating the practice and its potential impact on the sport. Wada has stated that more research is needed to determine whether the method can enhance an athlete’s performance in a way that would be detectable on the biological passport. Until then, cycling will continue to grapple with the ethical and safety concerns surrounding carbon monoxide rebreathing.

Conclusion: The Future of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Rebreathing in Cycling

As cycling continues to evolve, the debate over carbon monoxide (CO) rebreathing highlights the ongoing tension between performance enhancement and athlete safety. While the practice may have legitimate scientific uses, the potential risks to health, combined with concerns about its misuse as a performance-enhancing tool, have led to increasing calls for regulation.

The UCI’s upcoming vote will likely determine whether carbon monoxide rebreathing remains a part of professional cycling, but the uncertainty surrounding the practice is a reminder of the complex issues that arise when science, safety, and ethics collide in the world of sport. Only time will tell whether this controversial technique will be banned outright or whether it will continue to be used in a limited, regulated capacity.

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