Effects of Ammonia and Lavender Inhalants on Grip Strength
Advisor(s)
Dr. Rema Suniga, r-suniga@onu.edu
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
24-4-2026 11:00 AM
End Date
24-4-2026 11:50 AM
Abstract
Smelling salts such as ammonium carbonate have been used as a stimulant to awaken poor-performing athletes by irritating airway membranes, triggering an inhalation reflex. Lavender, another type of sensory signal, has also been shown to inhibit/reduce contractile force by inhibiting acetylcholine release in the neuromuscular junction with skeletal muscles. This study investigated the acute effects of these two sensory stimulants on grip strength. Between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two, three groups of students were treated with either a control (N=17), 3 drops of lavender essential oil (N=17), or 0.3mL of ammonia inhalant (N=19). After one second of inhalation and five seconds of rest, participants tested their grip strength to maximal force (lbs) for 3 seconds using a Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer (5030J1).
While, mean grip strength (force in lbs) was not significantly different between the 3 treatment groups, as well as by either gender, mean grip strength to body weight ratio (G/B) was significantly higher in the ammonia group than either the control (p = 0.00662) or the lavender (p=0.009268) groups. In comparison to the control, the ammonia group also had significantly higher G/B among males (p=0.0274) and females (p=0.0489). A regression analysis showed a poor correlation (R2 = 0.168) between grip strength and body weight. This could point to a conclusion that these different inhalants have little to no effect on one’s grip strength, though further testing would need to be done to confirm this.
Recommended Citation
Baden, Andrew; Bell, Lucas; and Regan, Stephanie, "Effects of Ammonia and Lavender Inhalants on Grip Strength" (2026). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 55.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2026/Posters/55
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Effects of Ammonia and Lavender Inhalants on Grip Strength
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Smelling salts such as ammonium carbonate have been used as a stimulant to awaken poor-performing athletes by irritating airway membranes, triggering an inhalation reflex. Lavender, another type of sensory signal, has also been shown to inhibit/reduce contractile force by inhibiting acetylcholine release in the neuromuscular junction with skeletal muscles. This study investigated the acute effects of these two sensory stimulants on grip strength. Between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two, three groups of students were treated with either a control (N=17), 3 drops of lavender essential oil (N=17), or 0.3mL of ammonia inhalant (N=19). After one second of inhalation and five seconds of rest, participants tested their grip strength to maximal force (lbs) for 3 seconds using a Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer (5030J1).
While, mean grip strength (force in lbs) was not significantly different between the 3 treatment groups, as well as by either gender, mean grip strength to body weight ratio (G/B) was significantly higher in the ammonia group than either the control (p = 0.00662) or the lavender (p=0.009268) groups. In comparison to the control, the ammonia group also had significantly higher G/B among males (p=0.0274) and females (p=0.0489). A regression analysis showed a poor correlation (R2 = 0.168) between grip strength and body weight. This could point to a conclusion that these different inhalants have little to no effect on one’s grip strength, though further testing would need to be done to confirm this.