Road Cycling - Breathing pattern

During long hill / mountain climbs I tend to breath heavy (pant) after awhile. Is is better to control your breathing (controlled inhale and exhale) or just let it go (breathing short and shallow breaths)? Thanks for any response.

Many years ago, at the university I think, somebody tought me that the most important is to exhale completely. The air goes in by itslef, but you have to pump it out all the way. Therefore, when I need more air, I push it twice out and once I inhale. Something like out-out-iiiiin (two short and determined pushes out, and one deep in). This works for me when I ride or run and when the hrm is over 155 or so.

Many years ago, at the university I think, somebody tought me that the most important is to exhale completely. The air goes in by itslef, but you have to pump it out all the way. Therefore, when I need more air, I push it twice out and once I inhale. Something like out-out-iiiiin (two short and determined pushes out, and one deep in). This works for me when I ride or run and when the hrm is over 155 or so.

I agree. Push all the bad air out. When you natuarlly exhale to your lowest point push and more will come out. Sometimes I will hyperventalate b4 a steep roller, it kind of helps push you over.

i've been told by coaches to break up breathing patterns and to mix some regular breathing with taking extended in breaths and quick outs. i've been told that this benefits you by sort of allowing your lungs to expand and when the oxygen spends more time in your lungs, it increases the oxygen levels in your blood, as well.

decent advice?

i've been told by coaches to break up breathing patterns and to mix some regular breathing with taking extended in breaths and quick outs. i've been told that this benefits you by sort of allowing your lungs to expand and when the oxygen spends more time in your lungs, it increases the oxygen levels in your blood, as well.

decent advice?



Thanks for all the advice! I'll give it a try.

Gasping for my life, has always worked for me...

Gasping for my life, has always worked for me...

lmfao...I'm with you Joat...but for me it's accompanied with me saying... "I'm dying...I'm dying"... :)

lmfao...I'm with you Joat...but for me it's accompanied with me saying... "I'm dying...I'm dying"... :)
I'm usually gasping too much to talk ;)

What works best for me is to put my thinking and effort into the exhale. After that, I go with what my body tells me to do.

Don't forget "Look at all the pretty little lights".

Just sing this song, and you'll be fine....

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=54187

;)

Exhale longer inhale longer simple as that. Think about it in order to perform at a higher output a high performance engine must have a bigger intake manifold with bigger carburator. More air to burn more fuel. So a good way to design this into your body is to exercise your breathing behavior. By, for example working on breathing in a yogic fashion. Like chanting AUM and seeing how long you can do this in one breath. Hmmmmm!

i also read once that it good to match any kind of breathing pattern to your cadence...ie, exhale or inhale at a rate that matches crank revolutions. but clearing your lungs completely is mucho important as is using your diaphragm to inhale is important because you take in more oxygen....words of wisdom from some cat 3 dude last summer.