Locomotor-Respiratory Entrainment upon Phonated Compared to Spontaneous Breathing during Submaximal Exercise

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Respiratory Physiology
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Breathing techniques during exercise are gaining attention for their ergogenic potential.
• The impact of phonation (vocalizing) on exercise responses remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the respiratory, metabolic, and hemodynamic effects of phonated exhalation.
• To examine the influence of phonation on locomotor-respiratory entrainment during moderate exercise.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-six healthy adults performed moderate cycling under three breathing conditions: spontaneous, "h" phonation, and "ss" phonation.
• Measurements included respiratory, metabolic, hemodynamic variables, and perceived exertion.
• Locomotor-respiratory frequency coupling was analyzed.

Main Results:

• Phonation reduced peak expiratory flow, respiratory rate, and perceived exertion.
• Phonation altered dominant locomotor-respiratory coupling patterns (e.g., 1:4 vs. 1:3).
• Ventilatory efficiency improved with dominant locomotor-respiratory coupling, irrespective of breathing pattern.

Conclusions:

• Phonation is a novel tool for manipulating expiratory flow during exercise.
• Locomotor-respiratory entrainment, rather than expiratory resistance from phonation, appears to be the primary driver of ergogenic enhancement.
• Phonation may hold potential for improving exercise tolerance in conditions like COPD or enhancing respiratory efficiency at higher exercise intensities.