Athletes must breathe well if they are to achieve their maximum potential.
Everybody knows that our cells need oxygen to function correctly, and if you’ve ever felt what it’s like to exercise while suffering from cramps, you know how painful it can be when your muscle cells are not being adequately oxygenated.
The process of oxygen release from haemoglobin (in blood) relies on The Bohr Effect. It is a well known fact that higher concentrations of carbon dioxide leads to greater oxygen release from the blood, to the cells. The good news is that during exercise, muscles produce more carbon dioxide than during rest, so the body is perfectly set up to deliver oxygen to cells during exertion. This may partly explain the “natural high” that occurs. This is great for those who are breathing well. By breathing normally – in and out through the nose and allowing nasal breathing capacity to dictate the pace during exercise, it is possible to optimize cellular oxygenation.
For those who have not got their breathing habits under control, such as excessive use of mouth breathing during exercise or limited diaphragmatic usage, the situation is not so favourable. The excessive loss of carbon dioxide from breathing this way, leads to poor cellular oxygenation, and reduced athletic performance.
By normalising breathing function every cell in your body will stand a better chance of being effectively oxygenated. This not only helps with a variety of signs and symptoms, it can also assist with improved sports performance. By breathing normally during exercise you are likely to experience the following benefits:
- Improved oxygen exchange
- Greater stamina and performance
- Reduced production of lactic acid and cramp
- Reduced chance of injury
- Improved recovery time and reduced soreness
- Better hydration
