Revealed: What NRL stars are sniffing before games - after fans spotted some of the league's biggest stars in strange act before match
The answer will surprise many: a combination of boiling water and eucalyptus oil, which helps clear the airways.
The treatment can also potentially enhance focus for athletes.
Both NSW and Queensland players were spotted inhaling moments before heading out on to Accor Stadium in Sydney on July 9.
According to Maroons team doctor Matthew Hislop, the smell is 'pretty pungent' - and he revealed the practice is becoming more common in the NRL.
Another method is the use of smelling salts – also known as ammonium carbonate, which can be paired with eucalyptus oil.
The answer will surprise many - a combination of boiling water and eucalyptus oil, which helps clear the sinuses - it can also potentially enhance alertness and focus for athletes
Luke Bowen, a senior exercise physiologist, told the Sydney Morning Herald that even though smelling salts have been outlawed under NRL concussion protocols, the ritual still unfolds in many dressing rooms.
'I don't think they're prohibited, but yes, they are widely used in rugby league,' Bowen said, before adding that some clubs also use Vicks VapoRub on their players.
'It increases your alertness and your arousal. There is (also) some weak evidence around increasing heart rate, increasing respiratory rate.'
In 2013, the NRL warned clubs off using smelling salts, fearing a dangerous outcome when treating head injuries, namely concussions.
Ominously, the smelling salts were frquently used to bring players out of their daze.
'The NRL continues to monitor each game in relation to compliance with our rules relating to head injuries,' NRL football operations manager Nathan McGuirk said at the time.
'The vast majority of cases of head injuries have been dealt with in a textbook manner by club medical and training staff, however there have been rare occasions that have required clubs to provide further information in relation to concerning incidents.
'We will continue to develop and review the games rules and procedures in relation to head injuries by following the current and latest research from the world's leading experts in the field of concussion.
'We have made dramatic rule changes to the way the game is played including the world-wide ban of the shoulder charge technique.'
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