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Breathing performance research

Breathing interventions can help if they reduce wasted effort and improve tolerance at high work rates.

Last updated/Feb 12, 2026, 10:18 PM

Performance Science Lab

Breathing lab

Breathing interventions can help if they reduce wasted effort and improve tolerance at high work rates.

Start here

  • Most gains come from fitness, but breathing training can be a useful accessory.
  • If it causes dizziness or panic, stop; do not push through.
  • Use simple protocols and measure whether it changes your pacing/RPE.

Study library (reference)

Individual studies for deeper reading.

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Effects of specific inspiratory muscle training combined with whole-body endurance training program on balance in COPD patients: Randomized controlled trial.

PMID 34555068 (2021): inspiratory muscle training — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Effect of respiratory muscle training on exercise performance in healthy individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PMID 22765281 (2012): respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Impact of inspiratory muscle training in patients with COPD: what is the evidence?

PMID 21282809 (2011): inspiratory muscle training, respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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The Effect of Respiratory Muscle Training on the Pulmonary Function, Lung Ventilation, and Endurance Performance of Young Soccer Players.

PMID 31905644 (2019): inspiratory muscle training, respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Effect of respiratory muscle training in asthma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PMID 35843501 (2023): inspiratory muscle training, respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Inspiratory Muscle Training: Improvement of Exercise Performance With Acute Hypoxic Exposure.

PMID 30702370 (2019): inspiratory muscle training, ventilation — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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The effectiveness of physiotherapy in patients with asthma: a systematic review of the literature.

PMID 23333065 (2013): inspiratory muscle training, respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Effects of a concurrent training, respiratory muscle exercise, and self-management recommendations on recovery from post-COVID-19 conditions: the RECOVE trial.

PMID 36476156 (2023): inspiratory muscle training, respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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[Inspiratory muscle training during pulmonary rehabilitation].

PMID 33879382 (2021): inspiratory muscle training — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Putative Role of Respiratory Muscle Training to Improve Endurance Performance in Hypoxia: A Review.

PMID 30697170 (2018): inspiratory muscle training, respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Effects of 4-Week Inspiratory Muscle Training on Sport Performance in College 800-Meter Track Runners.

PMID 33467421 (2021): inspiratory muscle training, respiratory — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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Endurance and Resistance Respiratory Muscle Training and Aerobic Exercise Performance in Hypobaric Hypoxia.

PMID 33187563 (2020): respiratory, ventilation — Time to exhaustion (study note for endurance athletes).

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