Archives of Breathing Science

Why the breath improves performance

There are a few key drivers for improved performance using Fletcher techniques, here we look at the how breath training increases the blood flow delivery to the exercising muscles during training and competition. The breathing muscles demand a high percentage of cardiac output approaching maximal exercise, this has been measured to be approx 10% of […]

The Low down on Altitude Masks

Today’s post is going to be short and sharp. Altitude masks have been on my mind this week as I see more friends and amateur athletes add them to their training programs and altitude gyms keep popping up around me. So, of course I decided to take a look from a science perspective. First of […]

The thing most breath training programs forget

Breath training programs, pulmonary rehabilitation and breath hold experts need to start addressing the incredible strength of our breathing muscles.   From breath hold to performance enhancement, anxiety control to asthma management and lung rehabilitation – here’s why you need to start lifting weights with your lungs. There are so many different theories these days […]

Chris Froome, Asthmatic or Drug cheat?

Some sports have a cloud of scandals that follow them around, and none more so than elite cycling. The drug scandals that tarnish this sport have ramped up, recently targeting respiratory inhalers that are used to manage asthma, a condition which, interestingly, affects a higher percentage of athletes than it does of the normal population. […]

James Fletcher Harness the Power Of Breath Into 2018

What Is the Science Behind The Power Of The Breath? As another New Year’s creeps up, we feel motivated to dive into another 28-day challenge or new juice cleanse. However, year-after-year most people will neglect improving their overall health and performance long-term: including decreasing their anxiety, altering their work routines, or even working to quit […]

Breathing Muscle Fatigue Part 1

Is breathing fatigue really a thing? The breathing muscles, like the heart, must work continuously with little opportunity to rest, and guess what? They do get TIRED!! There is clear evidence to support breathing muscle fatigue, I have discussed some of this evidence in previous posts and I will continue to do so as I […]

Bringing science to the breath

Welcome to the home of ‘Bringing science to the breath’. My name is James Fletcher and I am a Physiotherapist & Exercise Physiologist from Australia. I have spent the last 10 years travelling around the world training athletes respiratory function. I have worked with the Australian Institute of Sport, Olympic gold medalists, Cirque Du Soleil, […]
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