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Why Breathing Economy Might Be the Missing Key to Your Performance and Health
When we talk about fitness and endurance, VO₂max often steals the spotlight. It’s a powerful indicator of how much oxygen your body can use during intense exercise and it’s long been a gold standard for measuring aerobic fitness.
But there’s another metric that deserves just as much attention: breathing economy. Whether you’re an athlete trying to shave seconds off your race time or someone just looking to breathe easier and feel better, improving your breathing economy can be a total game changer.
What is Breathing Economy?
Think of breathing economy as how efficiently your body handles breathing. More specifically, it’s the amount of air you need to move in and out of your lungs to meet your oxygen needs. The less effort it takes to breathe at any given intensity, the more “economical” your breathing is. In short: Better breathing economy = less energy wasted on breathing = more energy for everything else.
For Athletes: Why You Should Care
If you’re already tracking your VO₂max, adding breathing economy to the picture gives you a deeper insight into how well your body performs. Here’s why it matters:
More Energy for Your Muscles
If your respiratory muscles are working overtime, they’re stealing oxygen from the rest of your body. Efficient breathing frees up more oxygen for your legs, arms, and core.
Improved Endurance
When you breathe more efficiently, you fatigue more slowly, especially in long-distance or high-intensity efforts.
Lower Perceived Exertion
Athletes with better breathing economy often report that workouts feel easier at the same pace or power.
Faster Recovery
Efficient breathing helps clear CO₂ more effectively, which means you can bounce back more quickly between intervals or sessions.
For Everyone Else: Health Benefits of Better Breathing
You don’t have to be an elite runner or cyclist to benefit from improved breathing economy. In fact, it’s just as important for daily health and longevity.
Lower Stress and Anxiety
Breathing efficiently helps regulate the nervous system, shifting your body into a calmer, more balanced state.
Better Sleep and Recovery
Poor breathing mechanics can disrupt sleep. Improving breathing economy supports deeper rest and faster tissue repair.
Enhanced Respiratory Health
People with asthma, COPD, or even chronic nasal congestion can often improve symptoms through breathing training that targets efficiency.
More Energy, All Day
Breathing better means your cells get more oxygen with less effort - so you feel more energised and less fatigued.
VO₂max + Breathing Economy = A More Complete Picture
VO₂max tells you how much oxygen your body can use. Breathing economy tells you how efficiently you get it there. When you look at both together, you get a much clearer picture of your overall fitness and resilience. So whether you’re chasing a new PR, trying to improve your recovery, or just want to breathe easier throughout your day, breathing economy is a smart metric to measure – and train.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to be an elite runner or cyclist to benefit from improved breathing economy. In fact, it’s just as important for daily health and longevity.
Ready to Optimise Your Performance and Wellbeing From the Inside Out?
Start by improving your breathing economy.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Breathing Economy?
Clinician Expertise
Breathing economy assessments are delivered by Clive Williams, a metabolic analyst with over 30 years’ experience in metabolic and respiratory function.
Clive specialises in how the body responds and adapts to physical activity and exercise. He has worked extensively with athletes, high-level performers, and public services including Fire & Rescue and Police, delivering gold-standard cardiovascular and metabolic fitness assessments.
Alongside performance testing, Clive is passionate about making assessments accessible, inclusive, and relevant for everyday health, supporting people of all abilities to better understand and improve their fitness and wellbeing.
What is breathing economy?
Breathing economy refers to how efficiently you breathe to meet your body’s oxygen demands. Better breathing economy means less effort spent on breathing and more energy available for movement, recovery, and daily life.
How is this different from VO₂ max?
VO₂ max shows how much oxygen your body can use at maximum effort. Breathing economy shows how efficiently you access and use oxygen at any workload. Both together give a more complete picture of fitness and resilience.
Who is this assessment for?
Suitable for athletes, active individuals, and anyone who feels breathless, fatigued, or inefficient when exercising or under stress. You don’t need to be an athlete to benefit.
What happens in the appointment?
The 60-minute session includes a detailed history, assessment of breathing mechanics at rest and (where appropriate) during exercise, and practical strategies to improve efficiency.
Do I need to exercise during the session?
Often yes, as this helps assess breathing under load. This is always tailored to your ability and goals.
Is it suitable if I have asthma or breathing issues?
Yes. Breathing economy assessment can complement medical care by addressing breathing mechanics and patterns that contribute to symptoms.
Is breathing economy trainable?
Yes. Breathing efficiency can improve with targeted, consistent training – similar to other aspects of fitness.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing suitable for light to moderate exercise. Bring your usual running shoes, or comfortable trainers.
How long is it and how much does it cost?
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: £90
Ready to Book Breathing Economy?
Book an appointment with The Barefoot Physio team.
- Two clinics in Exeter and Bovey Tracey
- HCPC-registered physiotherapists
- No higher fee for your first assessment
