Breathing technique‐dependent acute cardiopulmonary responses during squats in healthy females

Figures

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  FIGURE 1. Flow chart depicting the study protocol. At visit 1, baseline examinations and the incremental exertion test (IET) were performed to ensure individual health and physical conditions. The individual's 10‐repetition maximum (10‐RM) of squats with a weight vest was determined at visit 2. The three conditions (4 sets of 10 repetitions (reps) with bodyweight, at 25% or 50% of 10‐RM, with a resting period of 3 min between sets) were performed on separate days. Breathing techniques included 2 sets with controlled breathing and 2 sets with breath‐holding. The order of visits 3–5 and the order of the breathing techniques were randomized.

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  FIGURE 2. Graphs show the mean hemodynamic response during strength training sessions with bodyweight, at 25% and 50% of 10‐repetition maximum (n = 17, two sets of ten repetitions). (a) heart rate (HR); (b) stroke volume (SV); (c) cardiac output (CO); (d) systolic blood pressure (SBP); Gray‐shaded areas indicate the exercise intervals of the strength training sessions; exercise intervals lasted 60 s for 10 repetitions, resting periods between all sets were 3 min; BH, breath‐holding; BW, bodyweight; CB, controlled breathing.

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  FIGURE 3. Graphs show the mean pulmonary response during strength training sessions with bodyweight, 25% and 50% of 10‐repetition maximum (n = 17, two sets of ten repetitions). (a) respiratory rate (RR); (b) tidal volume (VT); (c) minute ventilation (V̇E); (d) oxygen uptake (V̇O2); Gray‐shaded areas indicate the exercise intervals of the strength training sessions; exercise intervals lasted 60 s for 10 repetitions, resting periods between all sets were 3 min; BH, breath‐holding; BW, bodyweight; CB, controlled breathing.

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  FIGURE 4. The diagram illustrates the acute cardiac, vascular, and metabolic responses to training sessions. These data correspond to the 100% values in an incremental exercise test on an ergometer. During breath‐holding, there was a significant increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP), reaching levels comparable to those observed during the incremental exercise test (IET). However, heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV), and cardiac output (CO) showed only slight differences between the conditions and were considerably lower than those seen in IET. Additionally, the pulmonary response during breath‐holding was less pronounced compared to controlled breathing. Lac, blood lactate level; RPE, rating of perceived exertion (BORG 0–10); V̇E, minute ventilation; V̇O2, oxygen uptake.