By Dr. Donald A. Ozello DC
Las Vegas Informer
Strengthen your lungs to enhance your running performance. Improve your health, fitness and functionality by increasing your lung power. Regular exercise strengthens the lungs and improves the health of the respiratory system.
Powerful lungs are a valuable asset for runners. Formulate and follow a training program that builds powerful lungs. Use general and specific exercises to develop increased lung health.
This article covers general exercise types that improve lung strength. Running: Lung Strengthening Exercises Part 2 covers specific lung strengthening exercises.
Anatomy and Physiology: The lungs possess two primary functions: Supply oxygen for energy and remove waste in the form of carbon dioxide. The respiratory system filters, warms and humidifies inhaled air to supply cells with oxygen while simultaneously removing the waste product carbon dioxide.
Exercise: Consistently training the lungs increases lung strength. Develop healthy robust lungs with general and specific breathing exercises.
Precaution: Always begin and train at an intensity that is consistent with your current fitness level. Check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program. Increase intensity in gradual increments to minimize injury.
Aerobic Exercise: Increased aerobic fitness allows the muscles to perform more efficiently. A higher level of aerobic fitness means the body has a greater capacity to intake, transport and utilize oxygen.
Execute large motions in a rhythmic manner. Synchronize your breathing and movement. Utilize specific breathing patterns while cycling, running and jumping rope. Develop muscular and respiratory endurance with aerobic exercise.
Anaerobic Exercise: Anaerobic exercise builds lung strength. Utilize intense training of short duration to move your body into a state of oxygen debt. Incorporate full body functional movements which require greater demands of oxygen to numerous large muscle groups simultaneously.
Weight room examples include squats, power clean push presses and kettlebell swings. Outdoor examples include cycling uphill and running sprints. Heavy breathing follows these intense exercises due to increased oxygen demand. Build strength in your muscles and lungs with anaerobic exercises.
Exercise Types: Pilates, yoga and tai chi are forms of exercise that focus on breathing. Yoga and tai chi calm the nervous system, increase balance and improve lung strength. Pilates concentrates on strengthening the diaphragm with specific exercises and breathing techniques.
Conclusion: Devise exercise programs that incorporate a combination of aerobic and anaerobic training. Use a variety of cardiovascular exercises and multi-joint exercises to increase lung strength. Employ high intensity, short duration training sessions to develop a stronger respiratory system. Practice yoga, Pilates and tai-chi to improve your breathing.
Lung strength is essential for running success. Improve your athletic performance with general and specific exercises designed to strengthen the respiratory system. Enhance your lung strength to achieve your running goals.
Dr. Donald A. Ozello DC
Dr. Donald A. Ozello DC is the owner and treating doctor at Championship Chiropractic. 8871 W. Flamingo Rd, Suite #202, Las Vegas, NV 89147. His web address iswww.ChampionshipChiropractic.com. He can be contacted at (702) 286-9040 and DrO@ChampionshipChiropractic.com.
Dr. Donald A. Ozello’s mission is to educate and inspire others to live healthier, fitter, more functional lives.
Dr. Donald A. Ozello DC is the author of the book “Running: Maximize Performance & Minimize Injuries: A Chiropractor’s Guide to Minimizing the Potential for Running Injuries.” He writes a weekly health, fitness and nutrition column for The Las Vegas Informer. He is published in OnFitness Magazine, LiveStrong.Com, SpineUniverse.com and EHow.com. He has educational health, fitness and nutritional videos on Informer TV, Livestrong.com and YouTube.
Dr. Donald A. Ozello DC proudly handles Standard Process Supplements and Foot Levelers Orthotics.
Dr. Donald A. Ozello DC is an award-winning public speaker. He has spoken to numerous groups on the importance of health, fitness, exercise, ergonomics, nutrition and injury prevention.
Dr. Donald A. Ozello DC is a fitness enthusiast. Functional kettlebell training, running and bike riding are his favorite types of exercise.
Before pursuing his career in Chiropractic, Dr. Donald A. Ozello DC served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Bremerton, SSN 698.