Bend Over to Catch Your Breath and Recover Faster
If you’ve just finished a sprint and are completely out of breath, can you fall with your hands on your knees? This is a natural position for many athletes, but some of us remember how coaches told us that we will have more air if we stand up straight and raise our arms high.
Turns out, slouching is actually better for breathing. According to kinesiologist Lorrie Brill, bending helps the diaphragm (the main breathing muscle) to suck in more air. In her study, people who bent over with their hands on their knees were able to lower their heart rate faster than those who stood with their hands behind their heads.
The pose also helps you use your abs to exhale harder and can signal your nervous system to relax. For more on how your body position helps you recover between intervals, see the link below.
The Best Way To Take A Breath During A Workout, According To Science | Man’s health
Photo by Simon Thälmann .
Vitals is a new blog from Lifehacker dedicated to health and fitness. Follow us on Twitter here .