Cycling bans carbon monoxide rebreathing

The UCI, the world’s governing body for cycling, has outlawed carbon monoxide rebreathing in general.

Before and after altitude training, some teams used it to measure the hemoglobin levels in their riders’ blood before and after it was established last year.

If used repeatedly, it was questioned whether it could be used to improve performance or if it was simply too dangerous to measure performance in a deadly gas.

The UCI said its ban will come in from 10 February, although it will still be allowed in a “medical facility”.

The inhalation of CO will continue to be permitted within a hospital and be regulated by a medical professional with experience in gas manipulation for medical purposes, it continued.

Repeated inhalation of carbon monoxide can result in acute health problems, said the UCI, such as lethargy, nausea, dizziness, and confusion.

“Such symptoms can worsen at any time and develop into problems with heart rhythm, seizures, paralysis, and loss of consciousness”, it added.