The Oxygen Advantage Program of proprietary breathing as well as breath hold exercises teaches you to nasal breathe into your belly. Breath hold exercises strengthen the respiratory muscles and increase the tolerance of CO2. Breathing pattern disorders occur in healthy athletic individuals as well as persons with chronic diseases resulting from breathing dysfunction.
Research-1 also shows a distinct relationship between breathing pattern disorders (BPD) and posture. Forward head positions are characteristic of thoracic (upper chest) mouth breathers (Oxygen Advantage). Functional movement screening (FMS) confirms that athletes with bad postures are more susceptible to neck and lower back pain affecting movement. Upper chest breathing results in the over activity of the accessory muscles, including upper trapezius and scalene muscles that have been linked to neck and shoulder pain.
Breathing and postural functions are performed by the diaphragm. Functional Movement is improved with a stabilized trunk. Disrupting diaphragmatic breathing is therefore considered to affect posture and movement.
This same research links individuals with BPD to low CO2 measurement after an exhalation. This is known as end-tidal CO2 (etCO2). Low etCO2 leads to respiratory alkalosis. Several authors have concluded that the physiological adaptations that occur from respiratory alkalosis are sufficient to cause alterations in motor control and movement.-1
Proprietary Breath Hold exercises of the Oxygen Advantage Program strengthen respiratory muscles and improve CO2 tolerance. Read the Science
References:
1. Research paper: BREATHING PATTERN DISORDERS AND FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT by Helen Bradley, PT, MSc and Dr. Joseph Esformes, PhD,CSCS published in The International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, Volume 9, Number 1, February 24 pages 28-39
