The Science

THE SCIENCE Breathiva™ is built on the principles of Respiratory Muscle Training (RMT) — a resistance-based breathing method studied for decades in sports science and clinical medicine. Below you'll find peer-reviewed research showing how breathing resistance training can support endurance, recovery, and respiratory muscle strength. Research Transparency: The studies below examine the science of respiratory muscle training (RMT) — the training principle Breathiva™ is designed around. These studies were not conducted on the Breathiva™ device itself. They demonstrate the well-documented benefits of the resistance-based breathing method our product is built to deliver. Individual results vary. ENDURANCE & ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE Research on how respiratory muscle training affects stamina, exercise capacity and sports performance. Effects of Combined Training with Breathing Resistance and Sustained Physical Exertion to Improve Endurance Capacity and Respiratory Muscle Function in Healthy Young Adults Kido et al. · Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 2013 · PMC3804987 Key finding: Adding breathing-resistance training on top of regular physical exercise improved endurance capacity and respiratory muscle function more than exercise alone in healthy young adults. Recent Advancements in Our Understanding of the Ergogenic Effect of Respiratory Muscle Training in Healthy Humans: A Systematic Review Shei RJ · Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2018 · PMID 29985221 Key finding: RMT has been documented to improve performance across running, cycling, swimming and rowing, with proposed mechanisms including diaphragm strengthening and reduced perceived breathlessness during effort. Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training in Soccer Players: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis PubMed · PMID 34261153 Key finding: Respiratory muscle training improved respiratory strength and reduced respiratory-muscle fatigue during high-intensity, intermittent match-style exercise. The Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Training with Linear Workload Devices on the Sports Performance and Cardiopulmonary Function of Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Karsten et al. · Physical Therapy in Sport, 2018 · PMID 30261349 Key finding: Across multiple studies, resistance-based inspiratory training with adjustable-load devices was linked to meaningful gains in respiratory muscle strength and cardiopulmonary function in athletes. RECOVERY & CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSE Research on how RMT affects heart rate, blood pressure and recovery between efforts. A Short Course of High-Resistance, Low-Volume Breathing Exercise Extends Respiratory Endurance and Blunts Cardiovascular Responsiveness in Healthy Young Adults DeLucia et al. · Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 2022 Key finding: Six weeks of high-resistance breathing training nearly doubled respiratory endurance time and lowered resting blood pressure and heart-rate response to breathing effort. Inspiratory Muscle Training Improves Heart Rate Variability and Respiratory Muscle Strength in Obese Young Adults PubMed Central Key finding: Four weeks of inspiratory resistance training improved respiratory muscle strength and heart rate variability, a marker linked to better recovery and stress resilience. BREATHING QUALITY & SLEEP Research on how respiratory muscle training relates to sleep quality and daytime breathing comfort. Inspiratory Muscle Training as Adjuvant Therapy in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Controlled Trial Randomized Controlled Trial, PubMed Central Key finding: A 12-week inspiratory muscle training program improved respiratory muscle strength and self-reported sleep quality scores versus a low-load control group. Breathiva™ is a fitness and breathing-exercise product. It is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure asthma, COPD, sleep apnea or any other medical condition. The studies above describe the respiratory muscle training method Breathiva™ applies — they were not conducted on the Breathiva™ device. Consult a healthcare professional if you have a respiratory or cardiovascular condition.