Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Becoming A Better Athlete With Lung Training

By Chris Channing

When we think of becoming a better athlete, we typically think of going to the gym or balancing out a diet plan. One ingenious way of being able to achieve more for longer periods of time is to train the way one breathes- something we call lung training. Often done with a special device, this training method has profound effects on one's physical ability.

When we breathe in and out, there are two important processes being done. First, the body is resupplying itself with oxygen stores. As we exhale, toxins are being released that the body doesn't need to have lingering around. As a result of the lung training exercises, studies show that test subjects were able have a larger lung capacity. As a result, they were better able to supply themselves with oxygen and rid themselves of toxins.

In a report published through Science News Online, it was found that those who made use of lung training were able perform exercises 10% quicker than others. The study allowed test subjects to make use of the lung training exercises for a total of 6 weeks before pitting them against other competitors. More impressive is the fact that this 2005 study was done with athletes, who are said to already possess more lung capacity than others.

A normal workout is done based on resisting the body's ability to do something. Lifting weights, for instance, resists one's muscles to make them more able to lift heavy weights in the future. This is the same principle that is being used in lung training. Air coming in through a device is resisted against, thus making it harder for the subject to breathe. In increasing the strength of their lungs and their lung capacity, subjects are able to outperform others in physically stressing situations.

Athletes aren't the only ones who are taking part in this device. Some professions will actually stress the need of such training for employees- such as divers who may have to rely on strong breathing ability to do their jobs underwater. Even singers are making use of such devices to help them take in more air at once, and to hold notes longer by having a larger lung capacity.

The average device for lung training is fairly cheap. It is common to pay around $100 for the typical model, with prices varying based upon extras or lack thereof. Most may be found in sports stores, but do check online for a wider selection as these devices have not yet gone mainstream. This gives even more opportunity to gain an edge over competitors.

Closing Comments

It's best to consult a physician or personal trainer for specific information on how lung trainers work, and to see if they are right for you. The average lung training device is also $100, depending on model and specific usage, so they are considered to be fairly inexpensive routes of improving one's athletic ability. - 15683

About the Author: