Key result
Rhythmic voluntary breathing slowed down squeezing reaction time only in the expiratory phase, while breath-holding reduced reaction time.
Why the study?
Does rhythmic voluntary breathing or breath holding affect squeezing reaction time in healthy subjects?
Cross-Sectional (n=13)
Does rhythmic voluntary breathing or breath holding affect squeezing reaction time in healthy subjects?
Voluntary expiratory phases prolong reaction time, likely due to increased cognitive demands, whereas breath holding shortens it, possibly due to increased attention.
Caution advised assessing reaction times during paced breathing; leaves open extension to cardiovascular patients or therapeutic applications.
The study investigated squeezing reaction time (RT) in response to a visual cue during rhythmic voluntary breathing at 0.6 Hz paced by a metronome, breath holding, or at rest in 13 healthy subjects. Rhythmic voluntary breathing slowed down RT, only in the expiratory phase with accompanied changes in the length of respiratory phases, while breath-holding reduced RT. The prolonged RT during voluntary expiratory phases and the absence of changes in RT during voluntary inspiratory phases are most likely related to disproportionally increased cognitive demands during the expiratory phase of voluntary breathing. The absence of changes in RT during voluntary inspiration is likely to be compensated by respiratory-motor facilitation mechanisms in this phase. Shortened RT during breath holding is possibly associated with increased attention.
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Li et al. (2012) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy (n=13). Rhythmic voluntary breathing and breath holding vs. Rest was evaluated on Squeezing reaction time (RT) in response to a visual cue. Rhythmic voluntary breathing slowed down squeezing reaction time only in the expiratory phase, while breath-holding reduced reaction time.
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