So, if you struggle with your breath while exercising, should you consider EWOT?
EWOT (Exercising with Oxygen Therapy) is a training method intended to improve oxygen absorption by providing the user with a constant flow of oxygen during a workout.[2] Essentially, while you exercise for ten to fifteen minutes on an exercise machine like a stationary bike or a treadmill, you use an oxygen concentrator to provide you with constant oxygen. The idea is that, because your body is being provided with pure supplemental oxygen, you will absorb oxygen more effectively and experience great benefits as a result. While this technique was originally developed by a physicist named Dr. Manfred von Ardenne to treat cancer patients, it has since been adapted for use with athletes and certain other medical conditions.[2] So, is EWOT appropriate for people with breathing difficulties or lung conditions?
Proponents of EWOT say that it can offer a number of different health benefits because of the combination of oxygenation and regular aerobic exercise. They suggest these benefits could include:[2][3]
These are significant claims, so could EWOT benefit people with COPD and other lung or breathing conditions?
If you already use oxygen therapy, EWOT may be right for you. The use of oxygen therapy during exercise has already been proven to improve exercise tolerance and stamina for COPD patients.[4] Under a doctor’s care and guidance, EWOT could prove to offer similar benefits. Be aware, however, the EWOT uses continuous flow oxygen, so if you have been using an oxygen concentrator that provides pulse dosing, you may require new equipment to participate in EWOT. However, continuing to exercise with your pulse dose oxygen concentrator could still provide the benefits you need, so keep in mind that EWOT is not the only way to get the benefits of oxygen therapy during exercise. Some gyms and physical therapy centers may offer EWOT, so that could be an option, but it is essential that you speak with your health care team first to ensure that both the training method, and the location in which you practice it, is safe for you and your unique health needs.
Just like any situation in which medical grade supplemental oxygen is in use, there are some risks to be aware of and consider. Using more oxygen than is medically necessary can be hazardous to your health and raises the potential for complications like oxygen toxicity or the suppression of the drive to breathe. Additional side effects could include dry nasal passages, sinuses or throat. By and large, these risks can be diminished or avoided altogether by keeping EWOT sessions to 15 minutes or less, keeping the oxygen delivery to four liters per minute or less and maintaining 90-95% oxygen purity.[2]
Discuss all possible side effects and complications of EWOT with your doctor before considering or beginning the training regimen. However, if you follow your oxygen prescription and doctor’s orders for the use of your oxygen therapy, you should not experience any serious side effects.
Exercising on oxygen therapy, as well as EWOT can take some getting used to at first. However, by following a few tips, you can help improve your overall oxygenation and your exercise experience, particularly if you experience increased shortness of breath or discomfort during exercise.
Ultimately, deciding whether EWOT is right for you is a decision you should make with your doctor. If you have not yet incorporated oxygen therapy into your exercise routine, or you are new to exercising with breathing difficulties altogether, you may need to do some oxygen level tests to find out whether EWOT would benefit you. If you do decide to try EWOT, stay in communication with your health care team and pay close attention to how it makes your body feel. You and your doctor may need to make adjustments to your routine to find the correct therapeutic fit for you.
If you already use an oxygen concentrator, talk to your doctor about using it during exercise. If you do not currently use an oxygen concentrator, but require oxygen therapy, talk to your doctor about incorporating an oxygen concentrator so you can enjoy the benefits of exercise, and life, with an oxygen concentrator. Remember: Exercise benefits your health, and exercising with the help of an oxygen concentrator can help you maximize the benefits of exercise for you. Find out more today by contacting Inogen to learn about how one of our innovative oxygen concentrators can improve your exercise experience and your overall quality of life.
[1] “Your Lungs and Exercise.” Breathe , European Respiratory Society, Mar. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818249/.
[2] Santiago, Nadia. “Benefits and Risks of Exercise With Oxygen Therapy.” LoveToKnow, LoveToKnow Corp, Accessed 16 Aug. 2020, exercise.lovetoknow.com/types-exercise/exercise-oxygen-therapy.
[3] “Oxygen Multistep Therapy (EWOT).” Healthways Medical Group, Healthways Medical Group, 16 Aug. 2020, www.healthways1.com/services/medical-services/ewot.
[4] Emtner, Margareta, et al. “Benefits of Supplemental Oxygen in Exercise Training in Nonhypoxemic Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients.” ATS Journals, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 14 July 2003, www.atsjournals.org/doi/full/10.1164/rccm.200212-1525OC.