A recent study reveals that women have shorter breath as compared to men during exercise.
Usually after exercising or after taking the stairs women are found to be panting more as compared to men. This may not sound that good for women but it can't be helped as they tend to have shorter breath with because of narrower air space in lungs.
Also the women have weaker breathing muscles as compared to men resulting in greater exertion for them to breathe properly while exercising culminating in shorter breath.
"Biologically, women's lungs are smaller. Their airways are narrower, their breathing muscles are naturally weaker than men's, said Dennis Jensen, the lead author of the study, reports Huffington Post. "So their muscles have to be activated more aggressively and have to be engaged more actively by the nervous system in order to move air in and out of the lungs during exercise."
The findings are based on a survey conducted on 50 non smoking men and women aged between 20-40. The rate of the breathlessness of the participants was recorded while they were made to exercise on a bike. At the same time the researchers also monitored the physiological responses of the participants with a special focus on diaphragm. The records showed woman suffered from greater shortness of breath and also their respiratory muscles worked more aggressively as compared to men.
However, this does not mean that women can't go for exercise frequently or avoid it completely. Rather, the researchers have prescribed few methods that can make breathing easier in women. They suggest more intervals between exercising, more in-take of fluids and breathing smarter takes care of shortness of breath somewhat.
Intervals while exercising give enough time to the respiratory muscles to calm down in between vigorous workouts. Meanwhile, more-intake of fluids will keep the air space more hydrated facilitating greater passage for oxygen. Smart breathing with usage of mouth and lungs simultaneously exerts less pressure on the breathing muscles. The researchers advises seeking professional medical health if shortness of breath persists.
Earlier studies have revealed pregnant women suffer from greater shortness of breath as they require 20 percent more oxygen for the baby.
