Does anybody know anything about POWER Breathe? It is a device to help you train your breathing muscles. Has anyone used it with good results?
I’ve been using one for a few months. I’ve noticed an increase in the resistance I can manage over time, but whether that translates into improved times, who knows? Too many variables in that equation. I seem to recall a study or two that suggested it’s a worthwhile device, but can’t remember where (yeah, I know how bogus that sounds), or if the journals were at all reputable.
Bottom line, if you’ve got $50-60 to burn, why not? It won’t hurt you.
If you do some research on “hypoxic” breathing I think you’ll find that it’s mostly a load of rubbish. OTOH, controlled breathing can be useful. Have a look at www.breathplay.com. Very cheesy, but I think the guy’s onto something and he has some athletic credentials.
I know the people who did the original studies. They were involved in creating the company. I don’t trust at all their data. I can’t see how few minutes of breathing against a resistance would chage anything when you already train for hours breathing hard. It may be different for people with some medical conditions, but for train athletes I think it’s a waste of time.
I was given one of these years ago, randomly, way before i was an endurance athlete, it’s just sat on my shelf since then. i’d definitely use it if someone could show me some data.
it doesn’t make any claims to improve lung capacity, or anything of that sort. I imagine if it did that it might be of some benifit? in any case, it’s only claim is to “strengthen inspiratory muscles”.
I went into breathplay.com…wow…is that the cheesiest of them all. Thanks to all for the replys. I think it is like Dr. John says it “if you have 60 bucks to burn, why not”. It might be worth trying it just for fun. Besides that, it is something that you can be doing while stuck in traffic. London sucks.
Regards to all,
Jorge.
Does an endurance athlete need their breathing muscles trained?
jaretj
exactly. maybe if i was a freediver or something like that.
I warned you! But, FWIW, I’ve found it useful. I really like his on/off technique for doing intervals. Makes a pretty substantial difference. I do think it’s worth it and if you order a CD, he’ll chew your ear on the phone for a bit. Interesting character.
Just go for a jog and only breath through a McDonalds straw. Not only is it cheaper but it also has the dual function of actually being a STRAW! 
You are driving around London? The biggest capital city in the world and you are complaining about the traffic? LOL.
I’ve never tried it myself, but training respiratory muscles makes more sense to me than, say, weightlifting.
A couple interesting articles:
http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0979.htm
http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/ergogenic-benefits-of-inspiratory-muscle-training-35875
A PubMed search on “inspiratory training” and a little digging (I’m sure there’s other stuff, too, but I gave myself a 5 minute time limit):
I bought a PowerBreathe after reading that British Olympic rower Steve Redgrave used one - I figured he’s British and a rower (meaning he has no extra money to blow on useless gadgets) so there must be something to it. Does it help me? I have no idea. It’s not that hard to use, though, as all that’s required is sitting down and sticking it in your mouth. So at most I’m out around 50 bucks and sometimes look silly when parked at my desk.
The key to the device is that it only provides resistance when you inhale - “IMT” that is - per the cited study the only effective method. In fact, my understanding is that providing resistance on the exhale (EMT) can actually cause some damage - so stay away from the straws.
For the sake of clarification, IMT is NOT hypoxic training (as in exercising while holding your breath) which serves no benefit - also not to be confused with “intermittent hypoxic training” (e.g., GO2Altitude) which is pretty thin in the way of supporting research as well (at least on PubMed) - also not to be confused with hypoxic tents, etc or altitude. IMT is just a way of training the muscles you use when you inhale.
I once had a coach who prescribed “hypoxic intervals” - holding your breath for X seconds during an interval on an indoor trainer. The first time I blacked out and fell off my trainer, I decided they were stupid.
Oh, one more thing: Based on my personal experience, be careful with the breathplay thing as well.
I was using the technique for a while and found that at very high intensities (i.e., redline and above) I was essentially making myself hyperventilate - finally leading to another fainting episode (at the end of a 40k TT no less). At medium to low intensities, I guess it’s not so bad but there’s no literature that says it helps. In fact, everything I’ve read on the subject says that the best aerobic performance comes when you just breathe and don’t think about it.
Oh, and before you ask, based on my apparent propensity to pass out and some latent hypochondria, I had everything checked out by qualified medical professionals - nothing going on with me physically, so my doctors and I concluded it was happening because I’m a dumb tool (ex-rower here - if you know rowers, you know what the deal is).
I have been using it for some years. I just LOVE what it has done to my exercise-induced asthma, but I am really not sure that “normal” athletes without any asthma-symptoms will get any benefit out of the gadget…