- Updated on August 3, 2019
By Dr. Artour Rakhimov, Alternative Health Educator and Author
In this YouTube video below, Dr. Artour Rakhimov (Toronto, Canada) interviewed Volker Schmitz (Hamburg, Germany), Yoga and Tai Chi Trainer about calisthenics, acrobatics, gymnastics breathing benefits.
Everyone who practices calisthenics, acrobatics, and gymnastics, including professionals and novices, can get far greater benefits from these exercise disciplines by applying the most efficient breathing pattern during exercise sessions as well as permanently. The most efficient way of breathing is to have slower and easier breathing. Why is this so? Because a slower and easier breathing pattern dramatically improves body oxygenation.
There is a simple test to reliably indicate the level of body oxygenation. The body oxygen test is described as a Control Pause (CP), after a normal exhalation, it is the length of time that one can hold their breath for until their very first desire to breathe again quietly. The duration should be above 60 seconds, this reliably indicates that the body cells are receiving a rich supply of oxygen from the oxygen transported by the blood. An individual who has a Control Pause of 60 seconds will have silent and invisible breathing at rest, corresponding to a breathing volume of a total 3 liters of air per minute. The rich oxygen supply will enable the individual involved in gymnastics, acrobatics or calisthenics to excel in their performance through having much greater flexibility focus and concentration
If for the body oxygen test/Control Pause, the person can hold for a shorter length of time, for example, 30 seconds, this then would mean that their minute breathing volume is twice as much, i.e. 6 liters of air per minute. This inverse pattern continues in a direct manner, so a person who has a time of 20 seconds will have a breathing volume of 9 liters of air per minute at rest. Individuals who have a short holding time will have audible and visible breathing at rest, and by extension, their body oxygen level is will be far less than best because of their inefficient breathing pattern. For such a person, while performing in acrobatics, gymnastics or calisthenics, their reduced flexibility will inhibit their range of motion and lengthen the recovery time needed after exercise. Such a person that tests poorly in the Body Oxygen Test/Control Pause with holding times of 20 seconds or less will sometimes suffer from anxiety and sometimes even headaches which will invariably limit their focus and concentration, which are critical factors in achieving high levels of performance in calisthenics, acrobatics, and gymnastics.
