Have you ever noticed people getting ready for any sporting
event, to get the best performance from their bodies they always warm it up
first to get the blood flowing?
But what about the lungs? It’s all good and well getting
your body ready for a good workout but if the supply of oxygen to the muscles
is poor because of bad breathing habits it’s easy to see you’re not going to
get the best from them.
Here are some tips to start you on the right path.
• Make sure you get in the habit of setting aside some extra
time to do a little breathing exercise to prepare your lungs for the job ahead.
It won’t take as long as your stretching exercises but it’s just as important
if not more. For the first 5-10 minutes do a little amount of walking as you’re
doing this focus on your breathing.
Start to relax your belly on the inhale this allows your
diaphragm to go down into its fullest position and thus fill your lungs to fill
to a greater capacity. Then on the exhale retract your belly back in towards
your spine thus helping the diaphragm to fully contract and empty the lungs
better. (you want to get as much of that stale air out as possible before you
breathe in again!) It may take a little while to get used to doing this but
stick with it and remember how much you’re muscles are going to thank you for
this added oxygen flow.
• When you’re out on your run try to breathe for as long as
possible through your nose, this filters unwanted debris out of your airways
and helps to warm the air in the nasal cavity before it enters your lungs (especially
important on those cold mornings.)
These new breathing techniques may be hard at first to get
used to but your body will adapt over time. You may even notice a difference in
your running times, you might not be setting world record times but hey who
knows what might happen?
Disclaimer:
This article is presented solely as an example and is not meant to be
interpreted as medical treatment or diagnosis. If you or someone you know
require help, seek qualified medical assistance. No content on this site should
ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or
other qualified clinicians.
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