The desire to enhance athletic performance drives research into potential ergogenic aids. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless and poisonous gas that is difficult to detect, making it known as the ‘silent killer’.1 Despite its toxicity, CO has found varied applications in medicine and sport.2–9 Although CO can serve as a tool for monitoring performance gains through the measurement of haemoglobin mass (Hbmass),8 9 research surrounding its potential use as an ergogenic aid has raised ethical concerns.1 This editorial describes the legitimate applications of CO in sports and ways it may be exploited as an ergogenic aid to enhance athletic performance.
Formation of carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb)
At the turn of the 20th century, pioneering research by John Haldane revealed that CO binds to haemoglobin with greater affinity…
