Breathing Dynamics – Exercising for Sporting Performance

There are many benefits to be gained from optimal breathing during exercise. These include:

• A greater surface area of lungs used for gas exchange.
• An increase in oxygen delivery to cells.
• Delayed lactic acid onset.
• Enhanced buffering of lactic acid (via bicarbonate derived from CO2).
• A reduction in heart and breathing rates.
• An increase in relaxation.
• Greater access to ‘alpha’ or ‘zone’ states.
• Greater postural stability and potential injury prevention.

The exercises take time to learn, but you will learn to exercise whilst breathing using nose only, driving breathing using the diaphragm and with lower heart rates and breathing rates at most levels of exercise intensity.  The main objectives of Breathing Dynamics training for sporting performance include:

1. Nose breathing at all times.
2. Building tolerance to hypercapnia (elevated CO2 ).
3. Developing diaphragmatic strength.
4. Creating a breathing rhythm with reduced breathing rate and volume.

For more information contact Tim Altman.