[ishepherd]

I’ve reviewed the guides, EE/UA forums and elsewhere and have not found explicit guidance on nose breathing during the hour long portion of the heart rate drift test.  Is it preferred that we continue to nose breathe only for the duration of the test once we have warmed up and established our starting heart rate or are we free to mouth breathe?

I did my first shot at the drift test on a treadmill 15% 2.6 pace 126 first half with a 128 second half exclusively nose breathing.  Looking to go for 134 and would like to know I’m conducting the test properly breath wise.

Thanks!

 

[Scott Johnston]

Good question.

There is nothing magical about nose breathing.  It can be a good way to get you close to and identify the intensity of your aerobic threshold.   In your case, you had no upward HR drift starting at 126.  I’d suggest retesting starting at 130.  It is not necessary to nose breathe during that test.

I hope this helps.

Scott

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