When we exercise and consider the breath, there are two ways to go:
– Change the way you breathe to suit the task. So if the effort escalates, so does the breath. This would be seen in a hard run or a workout that is “For time.” For example:
“Run from A to B, then do 20 box jumps.”
Typically, we breathe however we have to, in order to get the task done, often quickly.
OR:
– Change the pacing and/or exercise to suit the breath. This is using concepts such as the “controlled pause,” from Dr. Buteyko. We regulate pace, recovery time, effort or otherwise in order to maintain, or return to, a particular nature in the breath.
This is largely a foreign concept in the exercise and training world.
Is one right or wrong?
Of course, it depends on our context. If the task is speed, the second approach is obviously far too slow.
If the task is regulation of physiological load (or “stress”) or to maintain CO2 levels in the body, then the second approach works (exclusively).
Considering different approaches to how we prescribe (and follow) exercise tasks can add a huge amount of value.
