How breathing influences your athletic performance
Training hard is great, but proper breathing makes all the difference. At ZenFlow, sport is part of our daily routine, and we focus on good breathing in every run, every training session, and every yoga practice. And if there's one thing we've learned, it's that when you control your breathing, your body performs better and recovers more effectively .
Breathing and sport: the invisible foundation of performance
During exercise, the way you breathe directly influences your energy, your stamina, and your ability to concentrate.
Nasal breathing allows air to enter in a more controlled manner, increasing nitric oxide in the blood, which improves muscle oxygenation and delays fatigue.
Conversely, when we breathe through our mouths during exercise, the body accelerates faster and consumes energy more quickly.
That's why more and more athletes—not just elite ones—are incorporating nasal breathing and breathwork into their daily training. We've noticed it especially during running and high-intensity training sessions: keeping your mouth closed while training improves recovery and the feeling of control.
How to improve your athletic performance by breathing better
- Start your workouts with 3 minutes of conscious nasal breathing .
- During the exercise, inhale and exhale through your nose as much as you can .
- Use sports nose strips if you need to facilitate airflow.
- Finish with slow, deep breaths to activate recovery.
Many of you ask us...
Why do I get more tired when I breathe through my nose while running?
Because your body isn't adapted yet. In a few days, your respiratory muscles will strengthen and you'll feel better.
Do nasal strips really help in sports?
Yes, they facilitate airflow and reduce nasal resistance, allowing for a more stable and comfortable rhythm.
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✍️ Written by Estela and Abraham, founders of ZenFlow — “Master your breath. Master your life.”