Clinical study:
- 4 weeks of breathing training combined with warm steam, low resistance (30 % of max exhale pressure) 15 minutes per day.
- 2 groups; one that carried on normally (N=20), one that used WellO2 (N=25)
Results:
- MEP (Maximum exhale pressure): mean 12 % improvement vs. +3.5 %
- MIP (Maximum inhale pressure): mean 20 % improvement vs. 0.82 %
- VC (vital capacity, the greatest volume of air that can be expelled from the lungs after taking the deepest possible breath): mean + 3.5 % improvement vs. 1.5 %
- FET (the time taken for an individual to forcefully exhale through an open mouth from total lung capacity until airflow became inaudible): mean + 15.5 % improvement vs. -5.0 %
- The research participants all had asthma, that was in treatment balance.
Now what do these results mean in practice?
Breathing is a core body function and a major factor in all our other body functions. Basically a stronger breathing enables greater opportunities for development and improvement for our bodies, no matter what the starting point is.
While breathing is involved in everything we do, it is quite individual where we experience the benefits of breathing training
This has actually been one of the most difficult issues to tackle when trying to explain the benefits of better breathing; while it is very individual where one feel and is able to notice improvement.
For some, breathing training combined with warm steam enables a more active life, making it more pleasant to exercise without losing breath. For others it might give that little extra support to start a new routine, we all know how important it is to have measurable development while starting a new routine. And for others it might activate deep breathing and support the body’s recovery process. You could compare it to stretching; you notice it there where you are most strained at that day and hour.
- Many suffer from stress and recovery problems. This means that also many notice an improvement in sleep, stress & recovery after using WellO2.
- Some of us suffer from a stuffy nose and trouble breathing through our nose. Therefore many also notice improvement in activating nose breathing after using WellO2, especially the nose mask.
- Few of us are in such good shape, that endurance training never gives us shortness of breath. By training one’s breathing power with WellO2 one will enhance endurance and VO2 max.
- If one would suffer from asthma, unlike asthma medication, WellO2 increases power in the respiratory muscles which decreases bronchoconstriction (allows air to flow freely to & from the lungs) and helps to remove mucus. The stronger respiratory muscles reduce the shortness of breath and help to cope with severe lung infections more easily, for example in connection with covid-19.
Read more about WellO2 at Nordic Innovation Shop here.
If you are interested in discussing the matter further, we are happy to answer any questions you might have!
Link to WellO2 press release (in Finnish) here.