Better Breathing Blog by PowerLung

It is commonly understood that using Respiratory Muscle Training (RMT), a series of exercises and breathing techniques to increase strength and endurance of respiratory muscles, will improve breathing (and subsequently, respiration) during periods of exercise. However, understanding the science behind RMT is important to better utilize the techniques to benefit respiration and endurance.

Topics: Better Breathing, Training, Triathletes, Running, Athletes, Swimming, Coaches, Health and Fitness, Track and Field, Scuba Diving, Cycling, Mountain Biking, Soccer, Rowing, Hockey, Crossfit, Competitive Swimming, Yoga, Diving

Metabolism is defined as all chemical reactions happening in the body, maintaining the living state of all cells and the body itself, and is broken down into two categories:

• Catabolism: breakdown of molecules to obtain energy;
• Anabolism: the synthesis of all compounds needed by cells.

Topics: Active Aging, Health and Fitness, Yoga

For those in the healthcare profession, and especially those working with patients who may benefit from respiratory training, a respiratory training device can be a useful tool.

Topics: Better Breathing, PowerLung, Health and Fitness

Yoga and respiratory muscle function go together, and it may be hard to decipher which benefits the other. Yogic breathing increases oxygen in your blood and nourishes and repairs your body’s cells, maintaining, and even improving, your health. There is much discussion surrounding “yogic breathing,” and many Yogis assert that the idea of full, deep breathing is unique to their culture. There is even a name given to the deep breathing yogis practice: Pranayama. The practice of Pranayama is the focus and control of breathing to attain a relaxed state, and is translated as “regulated breathing.” However, one cannot ignore how deep breathing is encouraged in any type of exercise, not to mention for relaxation, meditation, and anxiety relief.

Topics: Health and Fitness, Yoga

Athletes spend countless hours training for their individual spot, focusing on the dynamics, specific muscle groups, and the science behind the movement involved. However, do they consider training their lungs?

Studies have shown positive effects of respiratory muscle training (RMT) on athletes’ breathing ability and overall performance. Understanding the science behind the respiratory system can help explain why respiratory muscle training is so valuable to athletic performance potential.

Topics: Better Breathing, Swimming, Health and Fitness, Competitive Swimming

It is common misconception that your body just “fails” as you age. We do understand the nature of human physiology-systems don’t perform at their peak as bodies get older. However, you need not simply accept the status quo. There may be activities you can do to maximize your abilities and slow health decline; plus, improved lung function will provide you energy to add (or increase) exercise to your schedule. Exercise has shown to improve feelings of happiness and fulfillment. 

Topics: Better Breathing, Training, Active Aging, Health and Fitness

Amid all your exercise and training plans, can you add one more thing to your plate? Respiratory muscle training (RMT) is one skill you may be considering. However, is it worth the effort, both in increasing performance and for an easier recovery?

You may think your training regimen covers all aspects of your conditioning needs, that it is not necessary to concentrate on your breathing ability. However, the fact remains: respiratory muscle fatigue during exercise can limit performance.

Topics: Better Breathing, Training, Athletes, Health and Fitness

The need for every living thing to breathe well cannot be denied. However, the need for strong breathing is evident to athletes. Since both respiratory and activity-based muscles compete for oxygen, athletes must become more efficient in their breathing ability to maximize performance. Although this relationship is understandable in all athletic events, none is more obvious to understand as in the sport of swimming.

Topics: Triathletes, Swimming, Health and Fitness, Scuba Diving, Competitive Swimming

Athletes, professional and amateur alike, think about training their heart, legs, back, and anything else related to their sport. However, rarely do people ponder training their lungs. There is a direct link between fatigued breathing and reduced performance (weakness) in your legs or other muscles needed to compete in any given sport. The bottom line is that when you breathe better, you provide more oxygen to your muscles, thereby improving your athletic performance.

Topics: Training, Triathletes, Running, Athletes, Swimming, Musicians and Vocalists, Health and Fitness, Track and Field, Scuba Diving, Cycling, Mountain Biking, Soccer, Rowing, Hockey, Crossfit, Competitive Swimming

Breathe in, breathe out. We all do it, everyday, all day. But, how efficiently are you breathing? Could you breathe stronger, for longer? Many people don’t realize the benefits of deeper, stronger breaths. Your respiratory muscles can even be trained to breathe deeper than you ever have before. When you are most anxious, a deep breath can make all the difference in whether you face the challenge, or shy away.

Topics: Better Breathing, Training, Active Aging, Health and Fitness