Cyclists or exercise physiologists: What do you think of 'forced breathing' technique?

Question

(i.e. - breathing a little harder just before or during a big hill so that you prevent having an 'oxygen debt')

Some people claim that you can 'super-oxygenate' your blood which seems a little dubious but you may be able to make sure that you aren't carrying any 'oxygen debt' into the big climb. With a little forced breathing maybe I can make my oxygen transfer just a little more efficient.

For example I have to do a series of small hills before I do a big hill and I find that if I breathe a little extra just before the big hill it feels better on the climb. Is this just illusion? Does regular breathing provide all the air I need?

Answer 1

I have been competitive swimmer and have taken up bike recently. Hyperventilating only works for sprint swimming events... that is.. for events lasting ~ 23 seconds! In those events a swimmer takes one or two breaths. That's it.

It is not a good idea where any sustained effort is required because you feel depleted quickly.

To improve oxygenation swimmers do "lung busters" call it what you like... swim 100m intervals taking one breath every 3 strokes... then 100m breathing every 5th.... then 7th, 9th. 11th , 13th... by then you are pretty much cooked... overheated and oxygen depleted.

The trick is to use interval training for improving oxygenation.

The other "trick" I've seen is a device that you stick in your mouth that you breathe through while training (not swimming) .. it's designed to challenge your breathing... sort of like the exercises that asthmatics do to improve their breathing.

Answer 2

I tend to breath harder on big hills, - but that's born out of necessity, rather than a conscious decision!!

If I forced myself to breath hard before a hill, I might Hyperventilate and fall off!

Seriously though, any form of 'super-oxygenating' would be short-lived. There is a Biology thing here with Haemoglobin but my knowledge on this is very limited.

Interesting question though - potentially helpful to me also !

I will be watching for a decent answer myself.

.

Answer 3

Hyperventilation has been used for decades by swimmers. Works for them.