Re:Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises and the Vagus Nerve (2017)
by JshWright on Tuesday March 20, 2018 @03:14PM
(#16631632)
> maximizing both oxygen intake and carbon dioxide excretion.
Assuming you're a reasonably healthy person (i.e. you don't have a chronic breathing condition like COPD), then your tidal volume isn't the limiting factor in either of those things.
Your respiratory rate is driven by the level of carbon dioxide in your blood. Your body will adjust the rate up and down to keep it at an appropriate level (this is an important tool in your body's toolbox for maintaining the correct pH of your blood). Getting rid of too much CO2 is also bad (it's why someone who is hyperventilating ends up with spasms in the hands and feet). Getting rid of CO2 requires much more air movement than is necessary to keep your blood oxygen levels up.
tl;dr; "Maximizing" those things shouldn't be a goal. Your body is already managing CO2 and O2 levels appropriately.
Assuming you're a reasonably healthy person (i.e. you don't have a chronic breathing condition like COPD), then your tidal volume isn't the limiting factor in either of those things.
Your respiratory rate is driven by the level of carbon dioxide in your blood. Your body will adjust the rate up and down to keep it at an appropriate level (this is an important tool in your body's toolbox for maintaining the correct pH of your blood). Getting rid of too much CO2 is also bad (it's why someone who is hyperventilating ends up with spasms in the hands and feet). Getting rid of CO2 requires much more air movement than is necessary to keep your blood oxygen levels up.
tl;dr; "Maximizing" those things shouldn't be a goal. Your body is already managing CO2 and O2 levels appropriately.