Definition of "Breath becomes labored."

Triathlon Forum
1

For you Friel believers… Most of his test say an “assistant should also listen to your breathing to detect when it first becomes labored.”

Gordo also mention in his AeT Summary " AeT is determined by noting the heart rate where you feel the first deepening of your breath."

What’s the definition of “Labored Breathing” or “deepening of breath”.

Is it when your really sucking for air or is it just the little bit of a pickup?

I did some test’s the morning to attempt to determine this “Labored Breathing”. Around 154 HR, I could say I was conscienely breathing, but I wouldn’t call it “Labored” or “Deep”. Around 164, I was breathing hard and may have called that “Labored”, but not “Deep” at 174 it’s “Labored”, but I wouldn’t say “Deep”. Maybe it didn’t get really deep because I wasn’t able to hold it long enough due to lactate build up.

So… What’s the definition?

2

Wasn’t “labored” when it becomes difficult to talk?
dunno for sure.
Jay

3

Based on the non-response of the topic, I guess I’m not the only one who sits around tries to figure this shit out…

4

It’s not going to be too deep when you’re hr is up there because your respiration rate is high. The “deepening of breath” spot is supposed to be 20-25 beats below the “labored breathing” spot according to Byrn. I think it’s harder to notice in yourself than in others. I’ve always assumed deepening of breath was where I start to make a little effort to fully expand my lungs when inhaling or a level of effort I could keep up for hours but would require focus and labored is when I’m making a real effort on the inhale and exhale-a level of effort I can keep up for 45-60 mins and is not comfortable. hr wise for me Aet is 146-48 and LT is 171. Running at Aet, my pace and hr remain constant if it’s not hot out. Running above Aet, my hr will go up to maintain a constant pace.

5

ventilatory threshold estimates LT, thus, at the point at which you have to start ‘breathing harder’ to compensate for lactate buildup, you’ve hit AT.

so…basically try and find the point at which you notice an increased amount of breathing, talking is hard, and laboured.

if that helped at all…:stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

6

Just found this for Aet…

Aerobic Threshold (AeT) = first opening of breath. Not breathing hard, just opening of breath. Lonnie did a good test the other day wher he ran and breathed through his nose. This helped him identify this opening very easily.

From:http://www.cruciblefitness.com/etips/steady02.htm

7

i think about this shit too… but beware of overthinking… bottom line is the athlete and the coach have to know that they are talking about the same thing. I use gordo’s AeT=first opening of breath to set “aerobic steady” zone approx AeT to AeT+10.
friel’s “breath first becomes labored” may mean the same thing, but seems to me not as good a way of describing AeT.

btw - have you seen john helleman’s guide to intensity levels? it is quite good. i like his KISS format: EASY, STEADY, MOD HARD, HARD. Steady is IM country, MH is HIM country. AeT basically is bottom of STEADY.