Effects of Surgical Correction of Nasal Obstruction on Oxygen Uptake and Ventilation Volume

This retrospective study aims to evaluate the effect of surgical correction of nasal obstruction on aerobic performance parameters in male athletes aged 20-32 years. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does nasal obstruction surgery impact running economy and ventilation during exercise? * Does it affect oxygen consumption during submaximal running efforts?

Researchers will retrospectively compare male athletes who underwent nasal obstruction surgery (experimental group) to matched athletes without nasal obstruction (control group) to assess changes in respiratory function and exercise performance.

Participants were assessed by:

* Acoustic rhinometry to measure nasal cavity dimensions. * The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to evaluate nasal obstruction symptoms and daytime sleepiness. * Incremental treadmill exercise tests to collect data on gas exchange, oxygen consumption, ventilation, and running economy before and after the surgical intervention (or across a similar time period for the control group).

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Key information

Conditions

Nasal Obstruction Airway Obstruction Athletic Performance Nose Diseases Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases Respiration Disorders Respiratory Insufficiency Respiratory Tract Diseases Septoplasty Surgeries

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

For Experimental Group (EG):

Diagnosed with nasal obstruction due to septal deviation and/or inferior turbinate hypertrophy
Experiencing nasal breathing difficulties and sleep disturbance
Deemed eligible for septoplasty and/or inferior turbinoplasty following physical and endoscopic examination
Voluntarily agreed to participate in the study
For Control Group (CG):
No reported nasal obstruction or breathing complications
Matched with EG participants by age, sport discipline, training level, and VO₂max (with a maximum variation of ±5%)
Willing to follow a similar training program to their matched EG counterparts between pre- and post-testing periods

Exclusion criteria

History of nasal surgery
Presence of cardiopulmonary diseases
Musculoskeletal disorders affecting physical performance or exercise testing
Inability or unwillingness to follow the pre- and post-test training schedule
Any surgical complication that would interfere with post-operative participation in physical testing (note: none occurred in this study)

Treatment and study plan

Surgical correction of nasal obstruction

Procedure

Surgical intervention to correct anatomical nasal obstruction, specifically septal deviation, performed under general anesthesia. The procedure involved the repositioning and reshaping of the deviated nasal septum to improve nasal airflow. The surgery was conducted by an otolaryngologist with experience in nasal airway procedures. No additional medications or postoperative interventions beyond standard care (e.g., saline irrigation, analgesics) were administered. Postoperative assessments occurred 2-3 months after surgery, including evaluations of nasal patency, sleep quality, and aerobic performance using treadmill-based gas exchange measurements.

Primary outcomes

Change in Running Economy (ml/kg/min)

Time frame: Baseline and 2-3 months post-surgery

Running economy was assessed via an incremental treadmill test by measuring steady-state oxygen consumption (VO₂) at submaximal running speeds (e.g., 8, 10, 12 km/h). Improvement in running economy is defined by a decrease in VO₂ at the same speed, indicating greater efficiency.

Secondary outcomes

Change in Oxygen Consumption (VO₂ max and submax VO₂)

Time frame: Baseline and 2-3 months post-surgery

Peak and submaximal oxygen consumption were evaluated using gas exchange analysis during a graded treadmill test. Reduced submaximal VO₂ values are indicative of improved aerobic performance.
Change in Ventilation

Time frame: Baseline and 2-3 months post-surgery

Ventilatory volume was measured during each stage of the treadmill test. Increases in ventilation at submaximal intensities suggest improved airway function and respiratory efficiency.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Tuba Melekoğlu

Other

Collaborators

Akdeniz University, Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2017
Primary completion: 2020
Study completion: 2020
First posted: May 4, 2025
Registry last updated: May 4, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed