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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
Is all respiration created equal?

Pantelones

Nov 4, 09 21:39

Post #1 of 2 (90 views)

Is all respiration created equal?	Can't Post

So I'm looking for a scientific/quanitative anwser to a pretty simple question I had on my easy run today.

In whatever terms matter for respiration, oxygen uptake?, CO2 transfer?... Are these two breathing patterns equivalent?

1) short breath which exhales/inhales 1/2 total lung volume in 1 second

or

2) deep breath which exhales/inhales the "entire" lung volume in 2 seconds

The volume rates are the same, but is the physiological characteristics also the same? Let's assume this is done in zone 2 or easy aerobic running. I checkEd lore of running and he doesn't address this other than belly breathing is best.

Simply put, are the bottom half of my lungs worth using? :-)

ImNuts

Nov 4, 09 22:29

Post #2 of 2 (73 views)

Re: Is all respiration created equal? [Pantelones] [In reply to]	Can't Post

the amount that you breath per breath that contributes to gas exchange is called the alveolar ventilation.

the alveolar ventilation is equal to the volume of the breath you take, minus a fixed amount that doesnt contribute called "dead space".

dead space, in this case is the air in the upper airway, trachea, bronchi and bronchioles.

so the first part of a breath doesnt do any gas exchange.

if you breathe very shallow, even with a fast rate you will not exchange enough gas.

so the answer to your original question is no.
and the answer to your last question is yes!

(This post was edited by ImNuts on Nov 4, 09 22:31)