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breathing for rifle shooting

Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 9:54 pm
by reggie
hello
wanted to know views on how importantant would it be to stenghthen yr breathing muscles for success in rifle shooting. will increase lung capacity and strenghthened muscles around the lungs be of any advantage?? thanks - look forward to yr views!

Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 7:57 am
by RobStubbs
Increased cardiovasular strength is useful for all shooting disciplines and is worthwhile for life in general. If you can improve your system such that oxygen can be moved easier around the body that must be a benefit and also lowering your heart rate, which I gather is specifically important in rifle shooting.

Rob.

Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 8:43 am
by Steve Swartz
Increased cardiovascular fitness (related to, but not the same as, "breathing muscles")

Benefits

- fine motor control
- better oxygenation during hold
- higher intensity of concentration
- lower heart rate
- lower respiration rate

Drawbacks

- Increased pulse disturbance

On the other hand, if all yoiu seek to do is strengthen your "breathing muscles" (e.g., by inhaling/exhaling against resistance, without any aerobic conditioning) that's a different matter. I suppose you could get some of the benefits- including less stress when wrapped in duct tape err I mean buckled into position- and enhanced oxygenation, without the drawback of actually being more fit.

Would be more of an advantage for prone than offhand.

Steve Swartz