01/05/2007
What causes breathlessness?
Breathlessness is a common feature of lung and heart disease, but as we know all too well, its also a feature of normal exercise. Recent research has shown that the strength of the inspiratory muscles has a direct influence on how hard we can breathe and how breathless we feel whilst doing it. If the muscles are weakened or fatigued (inspiratory muscles can fatigue by as much as 20%) then we can't breathe as hard and breathing requires greater effort; we experience the effort as breathlessness. A useful analogy is to think about how much heavier a barbell feels on the 12th repetition than it did on the first. In the same way, if the inspiratory muscles are weakened or fatigued, breathing feels harder.
01/05/2007
How do the Inspiratory muscles contribute to the breathing process?
The diaphragm and chest wall muscles act together like a bellows to pump air in and out of the chest. To breathe in these muscles contract to expand the chest cavity, causing a pressure drop into which the air flows.
To breathe out, you simply relax these 'inspiratory' muscles and the chest springs back forcing the air out of your lungs. During exercise the exhalation is assisted by contraction of the abdominal muscles. Thus, the inspiratory muscles undertake most of the work of breathing. In contrast to our frequent observations of inspiratory muscle fatigue, our research has never identified exercise-induced expiratory muscle fatigue. For this reason we've found it unnecessary to train anything other then the inspiratory muscles. At rest you breathe around 12 litres of air per minute, but during heavy exercise this can rise to over 150 litres per minute, and in elite athletes, this can be as high as 220 litres.
01/05/2007
Does the Powerlung exercise both inspiratory and expiratory breathing?
Yes, the Powerlung exercises both inspiratory and expiratory breathing.
01/05/2007
Is it necessary to disassemble PowerLung for cleaning?
No, PowerLung is a unit with one removable component, the mouthpiece. It is removable, for washing. REMEMBER: PowerLung is not microwave or dishwasher safe.
01/05/2007
How long should I continue the 3 x 10 x 2 Program?
You will begin to notice a difference in just a few days and measurable improvement in two weeks. However, when you quit training a muscle, it atrophies and weakens. The same principles apply to the breathing muscles. It is use it or lose it. As noted in the instructions, if you have reached a maximum training plateau, it may be time to begin a maintenance routine. To maintain the strength you have gained you must continue to train your breathing muscles.
01/05/2007
I aqua jog twice a week. Can I use PowerLung to intensify my respiratory work load?
You can use PowerLung everyday to intensify your respiratory work load. If you use it before aqua jogging, as a warm-up, adjust the setting below what is normal.
01/05/2007
How often should I increase the resistance load cells?
Increase the load on either load cell (inhale or exhale) when breathing at the present setting is no longer demanding training. Like any strength training program, when the exercise becomes easy, add more resistance (load). To increase the resistance, turn the control 1/8 of a turn, for either inhale or exhale. Remember, it will seldom be necessary to adjust inhale and exhale controls at the same time because they are independently adjustable.
01/05/2007
Can you adjust the level of resistance for both inhaling and exhaling?
PowerLung is the only machine that has independently adjustable resistance-load cells designed for the user to set the resistance. Other lung muscle trainers concentrate on only inhaling or use an uncontrolled flow. Recent studies prove that isolated threshold resistance training for both inhaling and exhaling can improve the efficiency and power of your muscles.
01/05/2007
Can my family or team share a PowerLung?
Other people should not use your PowerLung, for health reasons, just as your family or team would not use one drinking glass or toothbrush.
01/05/2007
Can I use PowerLung when I'm injured?
If you are unable to workout or perform in sport activities due to a non-respiratory injury, PowerLung is an excellent way to maintain top condition of your respiratory system, as you recover. Maintaining top respiratory strength allows you to return to your training at a higher intensity level after injury.
01/05/2007
Should I use PowerLung while exercising?
No. You should be at a standstill during the 3 x 10 x 2 Program, to obtain the most effective specific respiratory muscle training.
01/05/2007
Can I use my PowerLung as a respiratory warm-up machine?
Using PowerLung before you exercise or race is an excellent way to warm-up and stretch your lung muscles. Set PowerLung on a resistance setting much lower than you normally use and do 3 reps of 10 breaths each, with a one minute break between reps.
01/05/2007
How much time should I spend training with PowerLung?
To achieve maximum results, follow the instructions for the 3 x 10 x 2 Program in your PowerLung User Guide. This program normally takes about 3 minutes each time. Once you have customized the PowerLung Inhale Threshold Control and Exhale Threshold Control to math your personal abilities and goals, begin the 3 x 10 x 2 Program. This program is designed for you to take 3 sets of 10 breaths 2 times a day. That is a total of 30 breaths. Don't forget, you can use your PowerLung to warm up before any activity, exercise or competition.
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