The effect of aroma stimulation during isotonic exercise on the rating of perceived exertion and blood fatigue factors of athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Only seven athletes were studied, so the results are very unstable and could be due to chance. The paper does not state how many athletes were in each group, how randomisation was done, whether assessors were blinded, or how dropouts were handled. The control condition is not described, so it is unclear what the control group experienced besides no aroma oil. The aroma mixture contained lavender, rosemary, peppermint, and jojoba oil, so the study cannot show which component, if any, mattered. Several perceived exertion comparisons were made across many exercises, and only some were lower in the aroma group. Blood ammonia and CPK rose after exercise in both groups, so aroma stimulation did not clearly reduce all fatigue markers. The study measured effects only during and immediately after one exercise session, not pain, function, or recovery over time.

Do not conclude that aroma oil reliably reduces fatigue or improves patellofemoral pain. The study had only seven athletes, several fatigue markers rose in both groups, and the aroma mixture contained lavender, rosemary, peppermint, and jojoba oil, so it cannot show which component, if any, mattered.