The Proof,
Is In The Science: Respiratory Muscle Training
Definition: Isocapnic Respiratory Training
i·so·cap·ni·c
(ī’sō-kap’ni-k)
To execute conditioning stimulus focused on the respiratory system while controlling systemic carbon dioxide levels.
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Isocapnic respiratory training is specialized exercise for the muscles that drive breathing. It develops respiratory strength, endurance and control for athletic and general wellness use. BWB products are intended for athletic and general wellness use, not medical diagnosis or treatment. People with COPD, asthma, or other respiratory conditions should consult their clinician before use. Compare BWB-Sport and BWB-Mask to choose the configuration that fits how you train.
What is Respiratory Muscle Training?
Respiratory muscle training targets the diaphragm, intercostal and abdominal muscles used during breathing. Consistent training can improve respiratory-muscle strength, endurance and control. Results depend on the training method, population and protocol.
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BWB products are intended for athletic and general wellness use, not medical diagnosis or treatment. People with COPD, asthma, or other respiratory conditions should consult their clinician before use.
Isocapnic BWB Scientifically Verified Inspiratory Muscle Training
Voluntary isocapnic hyperpnea has been studied as a respiratory muscle training method. Isocapnic is applying that method in the BWB system. Published research supports the underlying respiratory-training methods. Product-specific claims should be limited to outcomes directly measured with BWB. For a measured long-term athlete example, read the Cory Wallace respiratory training case study.
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Types of Respiratory Muscle Training
Inspiratory muscle training targets the muscles used for inhalation, commonly through resistance. Expiratory muscle training targets the muscles used during exhalation. Voluntary isocapnic hyperpnea trains sustained, high-volume inhalation and exhalation. Respiratory muscle training has been studied in people with COPD and asthma, generally as part of supervised care. Research using normocapnic hyperpnea in people with COPD supports further clinical investigation. Dr. Andrew Sellars believes isocapnic respiratory training has significant potential in these populations. BWB products are not established treatments for COPD or asthma. People with respiratory conditions should consult their clinician before use.
Respiratory Fitness Effects on Performance
Your energy levels and fatigue resistance are greatly influenced by the fitness of your breathing muscles and the overall the fitness of your respiratory system. Measuring peak inspiratory flow can be an effective way to gauge improvements in your respiratory function. If your respiratory system is susceptible to early fatigue or you preemptively tire your respiratory system before entering the field of play, your performance will suffer, especially if your respiratory system is not well conditioned.
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An improvement was found in diaphragm, rib cage mobility and improvement in the resistance of fatigue during maximal exercises increasing the performance in youth soccer players (1).
Stave Off Fatigue
When the gauntlet has been thrown, and you are in the final sprint to the line or buzzer beating play, don’t be limited by your ability to breathe. Focused training with Breathe Way Better (BWB) can condition your respiratory system, by training you to be able to breathe harder and faster, pushing your performance to the next level. A study by Italian researchers, from the Institute of Sports Medicine in Turin (Ganzit et al., 2019), investigated effects of isocapnic respiratory training with youth elite soccer players.
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In a small study of eight experienced runners, respiratory endurance time increased 237% after a four-week VIH phase; the sequential design and sample size limit generalization. VIH studies have reported promising effects on aerobic capacity, respiratory endurance and ventilatory adaptation. These adaptations may support longer-term improvements in VO₂ max.
Structured Respiratory Training Sessions
BWB can be used for structured respiratory warm-up or recovery sessions.
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Respiratory Warm-Up and Recovery Sessions
BWB can be used for structured respiratory warm-up or recovery sessions.
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Aerobic Capacity and Ventilatory Adaptation
VIH studies have reported promising effects on aerobic capacity, respiratory endurance and ventilatory adaptation. These adaptations may support longer-term improvements in VO₂ max.
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Journals
Scientific Papers and Studies
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1. Ganzit, G. P., Scarzella, F., Cravero, M., Tarozzo, C., & Beratto, L. (2019). Evaluation of the effects of respiratory training on functional aerobic capacity in young soccer players. Medicina Dello Sport, 72(4).
2. Uemura, H., Lundgren, C. E. G., Ray, A. D., & Pendergast, D. R. (2012). Effects of different types of respiratory muscle training on exercise performance in runners. Military Medicine, 177(5).
3. Schaer, C. E., Wüthrich, T. U., Beltrami, F. G., & Spengler, C. M. (2019). Effects of sprint-interval and endurance respiratory muscle training regimens. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 51(2).
4. Buchtelová, E., Tichá, K., & Lhotská, Z. (2018). Effectiveness of respiration muscle training in sportsmen aged 14 and 15 years old. Rehabilitacia, 55(3).
5. Scoggin, C.H., Doekel, R.D., Kryger, M.H., Zwillich, C.W., & Weil, J.V. (1978). Familial aspects of decreased hypoxic drive in endurance athletes. Journal of Applied Physiology: Respiratory, Environmental Exercise Physiology, 44(3):464-8. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1978.44.3.464. PMID: 632187.
6. Martin, B.J., Sparks, K.E., Zwillich, C.W., & Weil J.V. (1979). Low exercise ventilation in endurance athletes. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 11(2):181-5. PMID: 491878.
7. Aaron EA, Seow KC, Johnson BD, Dempsey JA. (1992) Oxygen cost of exercise hyperpnea: implications for performance. J Appl Physiol 72:1818–1825.
8. T. Kowalski, P. S. Kasiak, K. Rebis, A. Klusiewicz, D. Granda & S. Wiecha (2023) Respiratory muscle training induces additional stress and training load in well-trained triathletes—randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Physiology, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2023.1264265
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