Andrew Coggan wrote:
grumpier.mike wrote:
I think the difference usually ranges from 5-10%, but it is probably determined by what system is the limiting factor for your FTP. For example if you have smaller lung capacity compared to the volume of blood your heart can pump.
I find that I can put out about 7-8% more power at sea-level and I live at 5100 ft. My lung capacity is 120% that of a normal person my size, but I was told that my heart's ability to pump blood is what limits my VO2 max. I would guess that if lung capacity is your limiting factor, then you might be closer to the 10% improvement.
Lung capacity has nothing to do with it.
A study here might be of interest.
http://tf.hu/...009/08/82-Degens.pdf Lung function declines with age but it would seem training doesn't improve lung function. Training will no doubt improve function of diaphragm etc but it doesn't seem to,affect the lungs themselves.
What I would like someone to explain is this;
Why is it that we become breathless and lose control of our breathing and are unable to talk and are forced to slow down sooner or later if we are putting out power above FTP or running above threshold pace even though our lungs are breathing in more than enough oxygen?
Why do we feel so out of breath if our lungs are taking in enough oxygen and exhaling enough carbon dioxide?
Perhaps it's just the easiest way to cause us to slow down when the muscles are not getting the required oxygen?
In short, if it isn't our lung capacity / function which is the limiting factor why does it feel that it is?
It seems our perceived exertion feels it's the lungs not getting enough oxygen when in fact they are, we just can't transport it to the muscles. So why do we gasp air when it isn't what we need?
It seems our breathing is the major feedback system between the exercising muscles and the brain. We feel the urge to breath deeper and faster if out heart is unable to pump enough blood fast enough to the working muscles. We feel the same urge if our heart is able to pump enough blood but our blood does not have enough red cells. We feel the same urge if our muscles are unable to take in enough oxygen even if it is available in the blood.
We do feel pain from the muscles as well, but the overriding discomfort is our breathing. Unless we have heart problems we don't feel pain from the heart no matter how desperate our breathing. We don't feel our heart increasing its rate or stroke volume but we immediately feel our breathing increase. Yet we know that our lungs are breathing in more than enough oxygen, there is no real point in breathing deeper and faster yet the urge to do so is so great we must.
Is there a way of controlling breathing and limiting the discomfort so we can continue at a faster pace for longer?
It's all very well saying that the lungs are not the limiting factor, but breathing discomfort certainly is. How do we minimise it?