Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation

5-2015

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Department

Health and Sport Sciences

Degree Program

Exercise Physiology, MS

Committee Chair

Zavorsky, Gerald S.

Committee Co-Chair (if applicable)

Symons, Brock

Committee Member

Harms, Craig A.

Committee Member

Folz, Rodney

Subject

Swimmers--Training of; Breathing exercises; Respiration; Pulmonary circulation

Abstract

Controlled frequency breath (CFB) holding is a swim training modality that involves holding one’s breath for ~12 strokes before taking another breath. We looked to examine the effects of CFB training on pulmonary diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO) and carbon monoxide (DLCO). Elite swimmers (n = 25) were divided into either the CFB or a group that breathed regularly, every ~3rd stroke. The training intervention included 16 sessions of 12 x 50-m repetitions with either breathing pattern. Approximately 60% of the males and ~20% of the females were above the upper limits of normal for diffusing capacity at baseline. However, neither DLNO nor DLCO was altered after ~4 weeks of training. The CFB and control group exhibited no differences for any of the chosen parameters following intervention. In conclusion, DLNO and DLCO is unaffected by a four week period of CFB training.

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