Does anyone have experience or thoughts on this type of product?
Obviously, the biggest/best training effects will come from consistent training on the swim/bike/run, but wondering if there’s an incremental 5% to be gained from something like this…
p.s. i did see a thread on this back in '04, but thought it might be worthwhile to revisit.
My parents made me wear one for several years and, goddamnit, I still have teeth from hell.
I hosted an elite Duathlete for the U.S. Nationals (Helen Lawrence from Great Britain) and she used one. I tried it as well - different strengths. Was a LOT harder than I thought, but I felt it really helped open me up (if that makes sense). Not sure it would help much before a swim, but would be great before a hard 5K effort or the like. She uses it right before her run (she does some tris too, but she primarily a runner, and a damn fast one too). Her opening 10K at the Duathlon National in Mason was 33 min!
I was thinking about getting one, but kept forgetting about it - thanks for the reminder!
As I understand it, the lung is not a muscle. Therefore, resistance training does not work. These types of devices don’t work. Maybe one of the Doc’s on board will chime in?
Ric
I did hear some clinical trial that debunked them. That said, the diaphragm is a muscle and perhaps it would exert some effect there.
FWIW I always *figured *these things would work…
I usually try products before putting them in my store. I tried the Lung Expander thing, it didn’t work for me, thus I don’t carry it in my store.
I have been using a device like this for 2 years. Again, seems logical to me it cant hurt, so I will continue to use each night. I need ALL the help I can get.
Dave
As I understand it, the lung is not a muscle. Therefore, resistance training does not work. These types of devices don’t work. Maybe one of the Doc’s on board will chime in?
Ric
No - not to use it to “build up the lungs” (yes, that would not work).
Just right before the race (i.e. 1-2 mins). Basically forces you to take a few REALLY deep breaths - similar to what some athletes do anyway, but this is much harder to inhale and forces you to.
During exercise, breathing becomes an active activity(rather than passive, like sitting in front of the TV eating potato chips). It is controlled by the diaphragm and the internal and external intercostals. Because these “breathing devices” make the muscles of inspiration work harder, they are of some use. How much, I dont know. Probably more of an individual thing. Though I have never used one, I think the benefit would be more for extended periods of exercise making the muscles less prone to fatigue.
That makes sense. Similar to what free divers do.
Thanks roof.
Ric
I have/had one. I found it very helpful, my ability to push more air through the restrictive device improved quite a bit. I found it helpful on the swim to get out all the stale air from my lungs in a quick manner.
jb