The Effects of a Short-Term Supplemental Breathwork Protocol on the Aerobic Performance of Recreational Runners

Abstract

We investigated the effects of a functional breathing program on the aerobic performance of recreational runners. Runners participated in an aerobic endurance training program with functional breathing (FBP; n = 8, 34.8 ± 5.1 yrs, 25.3 ± 2.5 kg·m2) or without functional breathing (CON; n = 8, 29 ± 5 yrs, 23 ± 2 kg·m2). The treatment group underwent daily breathing exercises, and nasal-only breathing during low-intensity sessions of the training program. The primary outcome variables measured before and after the program included the following: the breath-hold time at rest, the duration and VO2max with nasal-only breathing, and the VO2max with normal breathing during a graded running test. The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA (p p = 0.04; d = 1.13). However, the changes in the time and VO2max with nasal-only breathing, and in the VO2max with normal breathing, did not differ between the FBP and CON groups. A small but significant time (main) effect for the increase in VO2max (~3.0%, p 2max, or VO2max, in recreational runners.

Keywords

• functional breathing
• breathing exercise
• breathing pattern
• nasal breathing
• aerobic training
• VO_2max