*A question about breathing during exercise

[VeggieMel]

I know it's best to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth during exercise. I know that one usually exhales upon exertion, for instance during sit ups, you exhale when lifing and inhale when lowering. My question is, does anyone know why? What's the theory behind the techniques. Can anyone explain? Thanks.

*I first posted this under "Other," but I realized it's more appropriate here.

[bryandahawaiian]

I know it's best to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth during exercise. I know that one usually exhales upon exertion, for instance during sit ups, you exhale when lifing and inhale when lowering. My question is, does anyone know why? What's the theory behind the techniques. Can anyone explain? Thanks.

*I first posted this under "Other," but I realized it's more appropriate here.

If you are applying physical pressure, lets say a "sit up" we have more control exhaling air under most extreme pressure then we do inhaling , try it? we can let air out, stop and out again . a more controlled manner, than to breath air in, stop and then breath in again. it is the balloon effect, blow up a balloon and then let air out, in small increments, easy right? it's not as easy to put the air back in.

[RawKev]

I have a good scientific answer to this question. I'll post up tomorrow as it's late and I need to refer to my kinesiology text.

[VeggieMel]

Can't wait, RawKev. Thanks!
Bryan, thanks for your reply, too!

[Raw Mom]

After practicing many years of yoga and then still not getting the breathing thing and still suffering with lower back pain...what was I missing? I took some courses in postural restoration and lo and behold...I wasn't really breathing!! Many people breathe through the belly or the neck. Try breathing with your lungs. This making abdominal exercising a little more efficient. Now you can hold in those muscles and breathe through your lungs the whole time. Try slow small bursts of breaths through the nose, into the lungs, pause, again, pause, again, pause, expanding your lungs like a balloon....this will stretch out those intercostals, making breathing easier. Just notice where your breath originates. To answer your question about inhale or exhale...my theory is to just do what you can. The focus on the inhale or exhale is just to get you to keep breathing during your exercise. I'm sure there is a better explanation for it, but this is what I found while teaching students to breathe and move at the same time. :)