Breathing Performance And The PowerBreathe Device

 

Common symptoms include:

• Performance anxiety
• Feeling short of breath
• Tightness in the throat or chest
• Chest tension or pain
• Twitching, stomach butterflies and shaking

After you have mastered basic breathing we can then move to measure the strength of your inspiratory muscles using POWERbreathe testing equipment. This tells us how strong or weak your breathing muscles are and allows us to be very specific in putting together a strengthening program involving Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) (www.powerbreathe.com).

After any performance, it is also extremely important to know how to breathe well at rest to maximise your recovery and allow your body to move into the parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system.

What is the Powerbreathe?

 

The Powerbreathe is a tool we use here at the clinic to assess your breathing, identify any limitations, and provide a structured way to train and improve your respiratory function.

Whether you’re recovering from lung or abdominal surgery, rehabilitating a breathing dysfunction, or aiming to enhance your sports performance, we’re here to support you on your journey.

Breathing is a vital yet often overlooked aspect of our health. When impaired, it can significantly affect day-to-day life, as well as performance in outdoor or sporting activities. Research shows that Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) not only benefits individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma or those recovering from stroke, but can also enhance physical performance in healthy populations.

Before beginning IMT, it’s essential to assess your current breathing function to ensure the training is both safe and effective.

 

Testing with the Powerbreathe

One of the key measures we assess is Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP). MIP reflects the peak strength of your inspiratory muscles—the muscles responsible for drawing air into your lungs. The primary muscle involved is the diaphragm, located in the abdomen.

By measuring your inspiratory strength, we gain valuable insight into how effectively you can expand your lungs and deliver oxygen throughout your body.

The goal of the test is to take the strongest, sustained breath possible. The best one-second effort is recorded as your MIP, typically shown in the green zone on the computer display.

Proper technique is essential: the breath should begin with a deep inhale initiated through the belly—engaging the diaphragm—followed by the chest and shoulders rising as the accessory muscles (such as the scalenes and external intercostals) activate to complete the breath.

 

 

 

 

 

In the above video, you can see Kevin demonstrating MIP testing.

We also use the PowerBreathe as a tool for Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) to help improve the strength and control of your breathing. Your inspiratory muscles—particularly the diaphragm—are just like any other muscles in your body: they can weaken with disuse but can also be strengthened through targeted training.

Using the PowerBreathe software, we can monitor your progress during in-clinic sessions and provide you with a PowerBreathe Trainer to continue your exercises at home. Think of it as “weight training” for your breathing muscles—helping you build respiratory strength, endurance, and control.

In the video below, you can see Kevin performing PowerBreathe training at a light resistance level (30%) while breathing in at a moderate intensity. The device measures both flow (the volume of air over time) and total volume (the total amount of air inhaled), displayed on either side of the dial. Higher values indicate that more air is being drawn in more quickly—an indication of stronger, more efficient inspiratory muscle function.

The dial also displays your personal best score, helping you track improvements over time.

As shown in the video, the PowerBreathe software provides clear, easy-to-follow visual cues to guide your breathing rhythm and support the development of better control and consistency.

 

For those interested in the finer details of breathing performance, the PowerBreathe software allows us to dive deeper into the data. On the screen above, you’ll see several key metrics being tracked, including Load, Inspiratory Power, Inspiratory Flow, and Energy—all of which provide valuable insights into Kevin’s breathing strength and efficiency.

One of the most important metrics we monitor during your PowerBreathe training is the Inspiratory Flow graph (top right of the screen). This graph provides a clear visual representation of how controlled your breath is during inhalation. A smooth, consistent line—with minimal dips—indicates excellent control of your breathing muscles.

Think of it like performing a bicep curl: the smoother the movement, the better control you have over the muscle. In the same way, a smooth inspiratory flow shows good control of your diaphragm, the primary muscle responsible for breathing.

Just like a strength-training program, your Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) will be progressively loaded over time. As the intensity increases, you’ll build both strength (measured as Maximal Inspiratory Pressure, or MIP) and control (reflected in your Inspiratory Flow). These improvements can lead to noticeable benefits in your daily breathing—whether you’re walking up stairs or performing on the sports field.

Further Information on Breathing:

• Is Your Breathing Normal? Understanding Healthy vs Dysfunctional Patterns
• The Truth About Nasal Strips: Brands, Benefits & Best Uses
• BradCliff Breathing Method

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Ready to Breathe Better?

If you’re looking to improve your breathing efficiency, manage a respiratory condition, or take your athletic performance to the next level, Inspiratory Muscle Training with PowerBreathe could be the perfect solution.

Our experienced physiotherapists work with a wide range of clients—from those recovering from surgery or managing breathing dysfunctions to endurance athletes training for marathons and ultra-marathons. We’ll guide you every step of the way with a personalised, evidence-based approach.]

 Book your assessment today and take the first step toward stronger, more efficient breathing!

Book an Appointment Here