Can specific breathing technique during recovery improve performance?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine how specific diaphragmatic breathing technique during rest period can improve explosive strength of lower extremities. In this study we tested 9 subjects represented by students of Physical education and Sports (age ± 22.71) We measured explosive strength of lower extremities by Counter movement jumps test on Myotest device repeatedly after 3 sets of 30 seconds maximal intensity load following 90 seconds rest period. Test was measured after rest period. Measurement was realized on 27th of October. We compared results with other measurement when same situation was examined, but there was used passive recovery during rest periods between sets. The research showed that breathing technique brought significant improvement in counter movement jumps (p = 0.008), where subjects improved their jumps height in average about 2.58 %. On the other hand after using passive recovery method there was no significant improvement. Voluntary diaphragmatic breathing seems to be more effective than passive recovery during repeated high intensity activity but we recommend deeper investigation.