METHODS OF IMPROVING RESPIRATORY EFFECTIVENESS

• US 20130237376A1
• Filed: 09/07/2012
• Published: 09/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Marion Octavia Sharon Long
• Original Assignee: Marion Octavia Sharon Long
• Inventors: Long, Marion Octavia Sharon
• Application Number:
  US13/606,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20130237376A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/13
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/006 for stretching exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/03 the user being in water
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/20 Swimming
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/18 for improving respiratory function
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/12 Arrangements in swimming pools for teaching swimming or for training

Abstract

Methods for improving respiratory effectiveness including inhaling a breath and, while continuously holding the breath, swimming for a period of at least 10 seconds without exhaling or further inhaling, and inhaling a breath and, without exhaling or further inhaling, adopting, and holding for a period of at least 3 seconds, at least one stretch position, which requires constant muscular exertion to maintain.

Claims

1. A method for improving respiratory effectiveness of an individual, comprising the steps of:

a) inhaling a breath and, while continuously holding the breath, swimming for a period of at least 10 seconds without exhaling or further inhaling; and

b) inhaling a breath and, without exhaling or further inhaling, adopting, and holding for a period of at least 3 seconds, at least one stretch position, wherein the at least one stretch position requires constant muscular exertion by the individual to maintain the stretch position.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a period of time between completing step a) and commencing step b), and/or between completing step b) and commencing step a), is no more than 60 seconds.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein step a) comprises swimming underwater or swimming along a water surface.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein step a) is completed using a stroke in which arms of the individual are used to drive the individual through water, with legs of the individual not contributing significantly to locomotion of the individual.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein step b) comprises successively adopting and holding two or more stretch positions, each for a period of at least 3 seconds.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein a separate breath is inhaled and held for each of the two or more stretch positions.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein step b) is carried out with at least a mouth and nose of the individual submerged under a water surface throughout the stretching step.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein step a) comprises swimming a length or width of a swimming pool.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the pool is a 25-meter or 50-meter long pool.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein step b) comprises holding a stretch position for at least 15 seconds.

11. The method according to claim 1 comprising alternately carrying out step a) and step b) at least 10 times each.

12. The method according to claim 11, comprising alternately carrying out step a) and step b) at least 15 times each.

13. A training program comprising the steps of:

a) inhaling a breath and, while continuously holding the breath, swimming for a period of at least 10 seconds without exhaling or further inhaling; and

b) inhaling a breath and, without exhaling or further inhaling, adopting, and holding for a period of at least 3 seconds, at least one stretch position, wherein the at least one stretch position requires constant muscular exertion by the individual to maintain the stretch position;

wherein steps a) and b) are performed by an individual at least once per week for a period of 6 weeks.

14. The training program according to claim 13 wherein steps a) and b) are performed at least twice a week for a period of 6 weeks.

15. The training program according to claim 13, wherein step a) and/or step b) is alternately or sequentially repeated, with a period of no more than 60 seconds between completing a step and commencing a next step.

16. The training program according to claim 13, wherein step a) comprises swimming underwater or swimming along a water surface.

17. The training program according to claim 13, wherein step a) is completed using a stroke in which arms of the individual are used to drive the individual through water, with legs of the individual not contributing significantly to locomotion of the individual.

18. The training program according to claim 13, wherein step b) comprises successively adopting and holding two or more stretch positions, each for a period of at least 3 seconds.

19. The training program according to claim 18, wherein a separate breath is inhaled and held for each of the two or more stretch positions.

20. A training material comprising printed instructions or video instructions, wherein the material describes and/or depicts the steps of:

a) inhaling a breath and, while continuously holding the breath, swimming for a period of at least 10 seconds without exhaling or further inhaling; and

b) inhaling a breath and, without exhaling or further inhaling, adopting, and holding for a period of at least 3 seconds, at least one stretch position, wherein the at least one stretch position requires constant muscular exertion by the individual to maintain the stretch position.