The German biathlete Johanna Puff became a two-time European champion in 2025 – and is a PARI fan. She talks about her experience with inhalation therapy and why it helps for competitive sports.
The German biathlete Johanna Puff became a two-time European champion in 2025 – and is a big PARI fan. She started with cross-country skiing, a discipline in which she was among the best sportswomen in Germany. In 2017 she switched to the biathlon. By the end of the 2017/2018 season, she had won the overall ranking in her age group and joined the German junior squad. The 23-year-old police sergeant has been a member of the national team since summer 2024.
But what does a successful professional athlete have to do with inhalation therapy? We talked to Johanna Puff about her experience with inhalation and why this is a useful form of therapy, especially for a professional athlete.
Johanna Puff: As a professional athlete, I have to be able to rely on every breath I take. My airways are often irritated though because of my dust allergy and the allergic asthma this brings on. Especially in the mornings and if I spend a lot of time indoors – like in sports halls or in accommodation if I am travelling.
Inhalation therapy with the VELOX gives me a sense of security because it complements my standard therapy to calm and stabilise my airways. This means my performance stays steady and at full capacity, regardless of the external conditions. The handy size and light weight of the VELOX make it perfect for when you are out and about – so I can easily take it with me to training or to competitions.
Johanna Puff: I tend to do the inhalation therapy in the evenings – and that’s every day. The inhalation therapy keeps my airways moist. If I am going to be under greater stress, for example before intensive training sessions or competitions, I will inhale several times a day to keep my airways in top shape.
Johanna Puff: I am actually very impressed with the inhalation therapy. It eases irritation in the airways, such as those caused by allergies. It also ensures that I can breathe freely, even when there are stress factors. The competition season for biathlon is in winter. So precisely when the air is dry and makes your mucous membranes susceptible. Inhaling saline solution keeps them well-tended!
Johanna Puff: In competitive sport, every millisecond counts. This is why my health is so important to me. It is an enormous hinderance if your body is not able to deliver a perfect performance or isn’t in peak shape. As the allergy puts my airways through their paces, I take my respiratory health very seriously.
And this is where inhalation therapy is a major advantage: it works exactly where it is needed – without causing fatigue and with very few side effects. Saline solution also does not contain any substances that would make me worry as an athlete.
Johanna Puff: The devices are reliable, easy to use and easy to carry around – ideal for my daily sports routine.
Note: The statements made in the report are the individual view of the persons reporting. They do not necessarily reflect the PARI view or the general state of science.
