PowerBreathe

[Cyclist2]

Searched these forums and a few more on cycling, triathlons, etc. I see some of the regulars here had some input but most posts are old, so here we go again...

I'm considering a high altitude cycling race next spring (and the erg races in February) but live at sealevel and will have only a short acclimatization time. I was wondering if these inspiratory breathing muscle exercisers (PowerBreathe, PowerLung, UltraLung, etc.) are effective at all. I see lots of "yes" and "no" posts, but all the supposed scientific studies are on sponsored sites, so are a little biased. Anyone have any solid experience with using these things? Or links to objective opinions? Thanks!

[Citroen]

http://concept2.co.uk/training/cross_tr ... e/download

[Cyclist2]

Thanks Citroen, but I read that one in great detail. Sounds good, but then so do the others that are more or less "promoting" their product (and/or discrediting the other products). I was hoping that in the years since this thing appeared that some independent lab would have done really objective tests to a standard protocol and have hard data. I'm still looking...

[luckylindy]

Here are some old forum posts on the devices (from a runner's forum): http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/for ... p?UTN=8225

In general, it looks like runners give it varying reviews (from bunk to 'awesome'), but it might be worth a shot.

[gnu]

so do you use it while you're rowing? Or before you workout? if so before a high intensity erg piece or used before steady state?

[Steelhead]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 120556.htm

Everyone is different -- what works for one may not work as well for another. You may just want to spend some time cycling at altitude for a week or so in Colorado before you cycle at altitude.

But if this works for you then it would be worth trying: Ten cyclists who took sildenafil at altitude collectively lowered the time it took to cover six kilometers by 15% compared to placebo trials at altitude. The cyclists also significantly improved stroke volume (the volume of blood moved out of one ventricle of the heart per beat) and cardiac output (stroke volume times heart rate) compared to the placebo trial. Sildenafil also minimized the decline of arterial oxygen saturation of the arteries when the cyclists were at simulated altitude of 12,700 feet.

[luckylindy]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 120556.htm

But if this works for you then it would be worth trying: Ten cyclists who took sildenafil at altitude collectively lowered the time it took to cover six kilometers by 15% compared to placebo trials at altitude.

That's because they were trying to get home before the effects wore off.

[Steelhead]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 120556.htm

But if this works for you then it would be worth trying: Ten cyclists who took sildenafil at altitude collectively lowered the time it took to cover six kilometers by 15% compared to placebo trials at altitude.

That's because they were trying to get home before the effects wore off.

LOL -- I think so.

[Cyclist2]

OK, last post on this subject, from me anyway. More investigation didn't turn up much new. It, however, doesn't seem to harm a person. The price is too steep for a new one, so if someone has a (Sports model) lying around that they would part with for, say, US$25, PM me and we'll make a deal. (I don't need any Viagra, thanks )

[Richard Friedel]

A striking fact about these resistive lung trainers is that sucking over/past some object placed between the lips is much more effective as regards lung expansion than the admittedly successful gadgets.
This also stands to reason since the gadgets would tend to train to a set suction pressure, hard to justify on physiological grounds. In particular tightening the lips on the object or finger toward the end of an inhale substantially increases inflation, preferentially into the lower abdomen Let us hope that this will be reflected in future designs of Powerbreathe RF s3e0101@mail.lrz-muenchen.de