Acute Effects of Coherence Breathing on Cardiopulmonary Exercise Responses in Recreationally Active Adults: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Human Performance Lab of Monmouth University
Summary
This randomized crossover trial will examine the acute effects of pre-exercise coherence breathing on cardiopulmonary exercise responses in recreationally active adults. Participants will complete two experimental conditions in randomized order: 5 minutes of guided coherence breathing and 5 minutes of quiet seated spontaneous breathing. Following each condition, participants will perform a standardized treadmill warm-up and a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test. Outcomes will include oxygen consumption, heart rate, heart rate recovery, perceived exertion, time to completion, and heart rate variability. The findings may help determine whether coherence breathing can serve as an effective autonomic priming strategy before a bout of maximal exercise
Description
Slow-paced breathing performed at approximately six breaths per minute has been shown to influence autonomic nervous system activity and heart rate variability. Coherence breathing may improve physiological regulation by enhancing cardiorespiratory synchronization and vagal modulation. However, little is known about whether a brief bout of coherence breathing performed immediately before exercise can influence cardiopulmonary exercise performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the acute effects of pre-exercise coherence breathing on cardiopulmonary exercise performance and autono…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 19–45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: Adults aged 19 to 45 years of any biological sex Recreationally active, defined as accumulating at least 3 hours per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity Able to perform maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a treadmill Able to provide informed consent Cleared for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity based on the PAR-Q Exclusion Criteria: a) accumulate less than 3 hours per week of moderate or vigorous physical activity; b) have a health condition that is a contraindication for performing maximal exercise test including cardiovascular disease, pulmonary…
Interventions
- BehavioralCoherence Breathing
Participants complete 5 minutes of guided coherence breathing which consists or around 6 breathing cycles (5 seconds inhale and 5 seconds exhale)
- BehavioralSpontaneous Breathing
Participants sit quietly for 5 minutes with their regular spontaneous breathing
Location
- Monmouth University Graduate Center, Human Performance Lab, Room 222West Long Branch, New Jersey