EILO
A novel set of breathing techniques help athletes overcomes vocal cord dysfunction and improve performance during high-intensity exercise. Vocal cord dysfunction, also referred as exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO), shown to improve for athletes after being trained to use the new techniques.
These new breathing techniques could represent a breakthrough for athletes seeking help with breathing during training and competition, said, J. Tod Olin, Associate Professor of medicine at National Jewish Health in Denver, CO.
EILO characterized by involuntary and inappropriate closure of the upper airway during high-intensity exercise. EILO causes shortness-of-breath during exercise and reduced exercise performance, and can negatively affect an athlete’s ability to exercise and perform. An episode of EILO can be noisy and terrifying to patients and observers of episodes. It is diagnosed by observing the upper airway with a flexible camera inserted into the airway during an episode.
Olin Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction Biphasic Inspiration Techniques
The new breathing techniques, Olin Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction Biphasic Inspiration Techniques (EILOBI), developed by Dr. Olin.
The study reported that two-thirds of the study subjects effective in treating symptoms. While, 79 percent confirmed they can implement during a variety of sporting activities. Additionally, 82 percent positively evaluated the teaching process. Nearly all the subjects received some form of respiratory retraining before learning one or more of the Olin EILOBI techniques.
Dr. Olin, said, the use of real-time video data from a continuous laryngoscopy allowed us to design a series of three breathing techniques that help athletes open their obstructed airways during high-intensity exercise.
The breathing techniques precisely and intentionally changing airflow during the inhalation part of breathing. The “tongue variant” involves breathing in evenly between the nose and mouth. The “tooth variant” requires patients to generate high inhaling resistance by forcibly taking air in through their teeth, then quickly opening their mouth allowing air to flow freely. The third variant is the “lip variant” in which the air inhaled through contracted lips and then the mouth suddenly opened, dropping resistance and allowing air to rush through the mouth.
More information: [National Jewish Health]
Video: [Olin Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction Biphasic Inspiration Techniques]
