power breathe - b.s or not?

[mikiesbuk]

Hi

A friend who's a smoker swears by this device - me never smoked in my life.

My cardio has gone to 5hit and I was wondering if anyone has used one of these to help strengthen their lungs?

I looked on runner's world and there's mixed reviews on there?

Opinions?

Thanks

[Rosi]

I've found it useful myself. They seem to have some supporting evidence for them, though I haven't looked at that in detail.

Not a substitute for doing cardio in the gym though.

[Truthseeker]

The science behind it is legit - was devised by Alison McConnel at Brunel University.

[craigwhite]

One of the best bits of kit I've ever bought. Definitely worth the investment.

[6million$man]

I think these are a gimmick. You can't strengthen your lungs, but you can strengthen the muscles that you use to breathe (diaphragm, intercostals etc.). However, there is no advantage to this.

The reason I dont think these work is that your respiratory muscles are almost impossible to tire out, therefore there is no need to strengthen/ increase the endurance of them. There are several mechanisms that prevent the respiratory muscles becoming fatigued (which I can go into if anyone is interested ;) ).

EDIT: Although looking at some of McConnell's research, they do seem to have an effect on exercise performance.

[ross90]

Yeah like 6million$man said, its a gimmick IMO. There is no substitute for putting the miles in out on the road, running. Or in the gym, intervals, shuttles, sprint training and other cardio. Cardio is stregthening the heart, and its ability to pump blood to the muscles and around the body. Not how much air the lungs can take in. The lungs arent a muscle and cannot be strengthened, The heart is, and can.

However that said, I would be interested to see some research, and if they actually help in some way that I am not aware of. I have an open mind, that is just my opinion at the minute.

[mikiesbuk]

Mixed views here too then... hmm..

Will see if 1 comes up cheap...

I agree there's no substitue for hard graft... but shortcuts are nice if available :)

[mympr02]

Which type do those that use one have - ie Red, blue or green or even the plus ones