Many athletes inhale pure oxygen after exercise in an attempt to increase muscular re-absorption of oxygen. Measured continuously after exercise, however, the blood lactate levels of athletes who inhale pure oxygen are practically identical, on average, to those of athletes who breathe normal air. The lower the blood lactate level is, the higher the muscular re-absorption of oxygen is.
If the statements above are all true, they most strongly support which of the following conclusions?
(A) Athletes’ muscular re-absorption of oxygen is not increased when they inhale pure oxygen instead of normal air.
(B) High blood lactate levels cannot be reduced.
(C) Blood lactate levels are a poor measure of oxygen re-absorption by muscles.
(D) The amount of oxygen reabsorbed by an athlete’s muscles always remains constant.
(E) The inhaling of pure oxygen has no legitimate role in athletics.