Air is vital to our survival. Not just because of the oxygen it containsbut also the little known "ions". This "ionic" quality of air may have a major impact on both health and performance.


Negative vibes
What are ions?
The experimental data
Further reading

Negative vibes

Everybody breathes just to stay alive. However, as an active person you use your lungs more so, breathe plenty of fresh air and try to stay healthy in the process. But, although you are probably not a smoker, and try to stay away from polluted air, do you breathe quality air? To answer this you need to know what's in the air that could be "good" and what may be "bad". Lets talk ions...

Imagine for a moment that sticky, close feeling associated with the days leading up to a thunderstorm. Contrast that with the fresh and euphoric air quality just after the thunder, lightening and rain have moved away. Similarly this "good air" can be found near to a waterfall, at high altitudes or standing under the humble shower each morning. This is the feeling of air which contains a high amount of negative ions, the good guys in this healthy air scenario. Conversely, the bad guys (positive ions) cause lassitude, depression, nausea, insomnia and (important to your aerobic system) respiratory disturbances. Bad ions can come from electrical equipment, cars, fumes, power lines, hair dyers, even a digital watch.

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What are Ions?

Ions are actually formed when electrons detach from a gas molecule, for example oxygen could be O2+ (a positive ion) or O2- (a negative ion). The balance between positive and negative ions gives rise to changes in not only the air "type" but also organisms which breathe the air. Interestingly the air we breathe also has several milligrammes of vitamins and minerals within it, plus other volatile substances! A classic study showed that negative ions increase brain chemicals associated with euphoria and elation. Another project noted that rabbits kept in a high positive ion environment were more aggressive.

   Such has been the interest in furthering our understanding of ions that research has been consistently undertaken since the mid 1950's (see review by Charry). Data previously unavailable from Russia, now presented in the Soviet Science Review, indicates that athletes used air ionisation as a recovery method (alongside infer red lights, hydro massagers and manual massage) in the mid eighties. Interestingly, the Russian coaches advocated use of an ioniser after competitions to aid recovery of their athletes so that they could begin training sooner.

   In a personal communication with Bionic products in America they site research by Dr. Deborah Graham at LaTrobe University in Melborne who has conclusively shown that inhaled negative ions increase the power of the immune system. As exercise tends to decrease immune function using an ioniser the "Rusky" way would seem to make perfect logical sense: boost a reduced immune system back to life.

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The experimental data

Now the very good news: data from Romania show that using a negative ion generator might make you a faster cyclist. Deleanu and co-workers used ionisers for 15 to 20 minutes per day for 4 weeks, relatively low exposure. However, the results were remarkable:

* reduced lactic acid build up in exercising rats
* positive hormonal adaptations to exercise stress
* improved human respiratory function
* accelerated recovery after exercise
* improved sports performance

Such is the sports improvements and health revelations of ioniser users that the negative ions have come to be known as "Vitamins of the air". I have been using a Mountain Breeze air ioniser for almost five years and have recommended novice to World Class level cyclists to use one. After all you are what you breathe....

Further reading

Cowan D. & Girdlestone, R. (1996) Safe as Houses. Gateway Books. Bath.

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