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ABOUT POWERBREATHE
- How often do I need to use POWERbreathe?
To be effective you must complete the tried and tested POWERbreathe training regimen of 30 breaths twice per day. If you are using POWERbreathe Medic, please follow the directions prescribed by your consultant.
- Do I have to train twice a day forever more?No, after 4-6 weeks of regular training your breathing muscles will have improved substantially and you should feel less breathless. At this stage the recommended training regimen of 30 breaths twice a day can be undertaken every other day, to maintain your improved breathing. If you are using POWERbreathe Medic, please follow the advice provided by your consultant.
- If I stop training will I lose the benefits?The phrase ‘use it or lose it’ applies equally to your inspiratory muscles as it does to any other muscle. If you stop training, your muscles will become weaker again.
- Is training with POWERbreathe painful?
No, it should not be painful. You should feel resistance to inhaling, but if you feel pain whilst using your POWERbreathe then you should stop and consult your doctor.
- Can I still use POWERbreathe if I have a cold?We advise you not to use your POWERbreathe if you are suffering from a cold, sinusitis or a respiratory tract infection until all symptoms have disappeared.
- Can children use POWERbreathe?POWERbreathe is not suitable for children under 3 years (due to small parts) and anyone under 16 should only use POWERbreathe under the supervision of an adult.
- Is POWERbreathe dishwasher and microwave safe?No, do not attempt to clean your POWERbreathe in any way other than instructed in your User Manual.
- What sterilising/cleansing solution should l use?
POWERbreathe Cleansing (sterilising) tablets are recommended. You can also use a solution that is intended for use on equipment that comes into contact with the mouth, such as that used for babies’ bottles. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist.
- There is no resistance when I breathe in through my POWERbreathe Classic, even though the adjustment gauge and resistance is turned up. Why is this?
This could be because the sleeve that is placed over the adjustment gauge has moved or is not on straight. When undertaking your breaths, especially during a rigorous training session, the sleeve can occasionally move and push against the adjustment gauge, opening the valve. Resolve this by ensuring the sleeve is on straight. You could also try holding the POWERbreathe at the top to prevent the sleeve moving. During very intensive training you may want to remove the sleeve altogether and hold the top part of the device.
ABOUT INSPIRATORY / EXPIRATORY MUSCLE TRAINING
- If most of the work of breathing is done by the inspiratory muscles, is there any point in training the expiratory muscles?
No. To date, no study has shown that expiratory muscle training improves performance in healthy young people.
- I’ve heard that expiratory muscle training works as well as inspiratory muscle training; is that true?
No. To date, no study has shown that expiratory muscle training improves performance in healthy young people.
- I’ve heard that if you do combined expiratory training and inspiratory training you get twice the effect. Is this true?
No, adding expiratory training actually impairs the improvements due to inspiratory training.
- Does adding expiratory training improve the benefits of inspiratory training?
No, because breathing against a load during exhalation makes it impossible to also work hard during inhalation, so your inspiratory muscles don’t get trained as effectively.
- I’ve heard that expiratory training doesn’t work, why is this?
Most likely because strengthening expiratory muscles doesn’t reduce breathing effort, PLUS the expiratory muscles (your abs) are already quite well conditioned, so they probably don’t elicit a metaboreflex that reduces limb blood flow.
- Does inhale/exhale training work?
Yes, but only the inspiratory part of the training is effective, so you might as well just do inspiratory training.
