Episode 139. Breathing for Performance - the power of Nasal Breath with Mr Allan Abbott (Part 1)

Over the past decade there has been an emergence of literature pointing to potential clinical benefits for a range of disease states through the adoption of slow breathing techniques. The popularity worldwide of the Wim Hof method adopted from eastern techniques has done much to pique interest. 

Notably the belief and practice of controlling one’s breath to both restore and enhance health is not new however and has been practised for thousands of years amongst Eastern cultures. Pranayama or Yogic breathing as well as Kundalini are well-known ancient practices of controlled breathing and exists in various forms often in conjunction with meditation.

A system of breathing developed in the 1900s by the Ukranian doctor Konstantin Buteyko claimed to successfully treat patients diagnosed with respiratory and circulatory disease possibly through reducing ventilatory dead space, increased tidal volume and by inducing favourable effects on the autonomic nervous system. Practised slow nasal breathing has been shown to extract 20 % more oxygen from each breath enhancing athletic performance.

Slow and controlled breathing through the nose with a respiration rate of between 6 and 10 per minute appears to be optimal for enhancing the Bohr effect. Getting there requires practice and adoption of nasal breathing techniques. The latter also delivers more Nitrous oxide, an important vasodilator which in relation to this subject is produced by the paranasal sinuses. Nasal breathing also filters and humidifies the air we breathe.

In this podcast I was interested to explore this fascinating subject with breathing expert, physiotherapist and snow skier Mr Allan Abbott. Allan has broadened his expertise with qualifications in physical education, ergonomics and acupuncture. He runs numerous seminars on breathing for performance including Athletes Master Classes incorporating high altitude training through his company Health Innovations Australia and has established the “Breathe Light Breathe Right” as well as the ‘Sleep Well be Well” programs. 

Allan subscribes to a notion that  breathing, sleep, diet, exercise and mindfulness are the major components to optimal health. Please welcome Allan to the podcast.

References:

Mr Allan Abbott.oxygenadvantage.com and ⁠www.healthinnovations⁠ .net.au

Breath- The New Science of a Lost Art. Penguin Books. July 20,2021.James Nestor

The Physiological effects of slow breathing in the health human. Russo et al. ⁠www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov⁠

How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life : A systematic review on Psycho-Physiological Correlates of Slow Breathing. Zaccaro et al.2018. www.frontiersin.org.