Monitoring your breathing rate is an important part of staying healthy and checking for any changes. It can be hard to perform at first, but once you’ve set up your lab and learned how to take measurements, it gets easier. Knowing how to calculate as well as recognize changes in your breathing rate will allow you to identify if anything is wrong before it becomes too late.
Why Monitor Breathing Rate?
- Fitness
It allows you to know if you’re breathing at the right rate and how often. There are a lot of myths about poor breathing that won’t allow you to reach your full potential. As was mentioned earlier, this is something you’ll have to experiment with at first, but once you get used to it and understand how it works, you’ll be able to keep track of your breathing rate.
- Early Detection
Any changes in breathing can be a sign of impending trouble. The sooner you recognize a problem the better off you’ll be. The easiest way is to use your master controller on the sideboard to monitor your breathing rate and keep track of your health during a workout. As you get deeper into your workout, maintain your breathing, and don’t let it drop too low or go too high. If there’s a change in breathing pattern, you’ll know about it.
- Health
The amount of oxygen in your bloodstream serves as the number one factor in a healthy body. If your breathing rate is too slow, you’re not getting the oxygen to your cells fast enough to maintain a healthy level.
- Emotional state
Breathing rate can affect your emotional state in several ways. If you’re feeling depressed, your breathing will slow. If you’re upset, your breathing rate will increase. If you’re anxious, it might go up and down. Getting used to monitoring your breathing rate will allow you to recognize these changes earlier for the betterment of your health.
How To Take Your Measurements
- Positioning
To take your measurements, you’ll need the following:
The following positions are common for beginners. This will allow you to measure your breathing rate consistently. If you’re in any of these positions while taking these measurements, make sure to start with the master controller on the sideboard and use it instead of trying to memorize it.
Single-arm hanging: With one arm in front of your face and the other behind your back, make sure to keep your arm that is behind your back forward. Then use the hand that is in front of your face to do a specific number count from 0 to 60 without going outside these numbers.
- Interface
The master controller: This device will allow you to monitor and record everything. It’s really easy to use as well so you won’t have any trouble getting used to it.
Hand watch: This is to give you an indication of where you are from your first numbers and also helps you keep track of the time.
- Procedure
Starting, use your hand watch and set it to a specific time so that you’ll know how long you’re going to continue taking measurements which will allow you to create a baseline for yourself. Once that’s been done, take the breathing rate measurement. Use the master controller on the sideboard and set it up so that it’s displaying your breathing rate. Then, start your hand watch, and begin the exercises that you’ll be using to take your measurements.
To get the most accurate reading possible, set up a specific number count that you’re going to go through without going outside. The breathing rate will fluctuate so make sure to take note of these changes as well. It’s a good idea to have a baseline for yourself from which you can compare other measurements from the same conditions to determine any changes in performance over time.