Strong scents stimulate the central nervous system, potentially increasing reaction time. Ammonium salt inhalants have no known physiological effect, but there is evidence of positive psychological effects on performance. Many athletes believe ammonium salt inhalants provide an edge or a feeling of ‘wakefulness’. 
PURPOSE: To analyze the effect of ammonium salt inhalants on reaction time, power, and resistance to fatigue in male collegiate athletes. METHODS: Ten male athletes (21 + 0.82 yrs, 178.33 + 6.97 cm, 85.12 + 15.57 kg) were familiarized with the testing procedures during session one. Two randomized treatment sessions (ammonium salt inhalants or control) were performed 48 hr apart. In session two, subjects inhaled one treatment before each of three trials of reaction time test and vertical jump (VJ). After running to fatigue on the Anaerobic Treadmill Test (ATT) subjects inhaled the substance, then resumed the test to exhaustion. In session three, the same procedures were followed with the opposite inhalant. RESULTS: Reaction time after inhaling ammonium salt (0.645 + 0.060 s) was not significantly different from reaction time after inhaling the control treatment (0.646 + 0.098 s; t(9) = 0.032; p = 0.975). VJ after inhaling ammonium salt (54.51 + 5.00 cm) was not significantly different after inhaling the control treatment (55.93 + 6.58 cm; t(9) = 1.038; p = 0.326). ATT run time increased after fatigue when inhaling ammonium salt (12.873 + 4.60 s), but not significantly compared to inhaling the control treatment (11.30 + 4.55s; t(9) = 1.29; p = 0.227). CONCLUSION: Ammonium salt inhalants did not significantly improve reaction time, VJ, or ATT run time after fatigue in male collegiate athletes. Ammonium salts may have greater efficacy for anaerobic exercise performance compared to power performance.