Ask the Coaches: Can Breathing Exercises Help Performance?
Thursday, October 22, 2009, 12:00 am
Q: Will breathing exercises with a spirometer increase my breathing capacity and improve my race performance?
-- Joan, Florida
A: That’s a good question Joan. There have been several studies using a spirometry device for breathing exercises in higher-level athletes. The total ventilation increased but there was no effect on VO2 max. Improving the strength of respiratory muscles and the total ventilation could improve race performance, especially in longer events. There certainly is not a downside to performing these exercises.