Effects of Deep Slow Breath Training on Performance and Recovery During High Intensity Interval Cycling

The present investigation sought to delineate the effects of a six-week deep slow breathing (DSB) program on measures of cycling performance (mean power: MP), recovery (heart rate recovery: HRR, and expired carbon dioxide: VCO2), and pulmonary capacities (vital capacity: VC, forced expiratory volume: FEV1, and maximum voluntary ventilation: MVV). Twenty male cyclists were divided into training (n=10) and control (n=10) groups, where the training group completed a six-week DSB program in addition to their own training while the control group completed no breathe training. Participants completed two testing sessions, one before and one after the six-week period. Testing sessions involved three repeated Wingate Anaerobic Tests (WAnT) with three minutes of passive recovery between each interval. MP was recorded for each WAnT while measures of VCO2 and HRR were taken immediately following each WAnT. No significant (p < 0.05) differences were found between groups for any of the variables measured, while both groups exhibited increase MP in the second WAnT (T2) following the six-week training period (Treatment: pre: 516.30 ± 20.82 W versus post: 536.38 ± 20.62 W; p = 0.010; Control: pre: 549.93 ± 18.66 W versus post: 567.83 ± 18.44 W; p = 0.010). The results presented here suggest DSB provides no performance benefit relevant to recovery or pulmonary capabilities during high intensity interval cycling, beyond those which are incurred via endurance training.