undercoveraviatr

hey, i was reading my instructions and noticed that working at high altitudes will be a significant difference and quite a challenge. i heard about these breath trainer devices that provide resistance when you breath so you develop stronger breathing muscles, a bigger lung capacity, more lung efficiency, etc. i was wondering if these things are worth anything...i am looking specifically into the powerlung tool.

here is the link, and tell me what you guys think of it please

PowerLung: Products: Active Series Sport for Top Performance Athletes and Competitive Athletes

or just PowerLung: Better Breathing

thanks

PatriotCPM

don't bother...you'll get used to it after awhile...and everyone is going to be affected just as much as you.

undercoveraviatr

that's very true...but still i just want to know if they work. you know, in case someone else asks me about them.

PatriotCPM

I'm sure they probably work to some degree. I would assume they work by not allowing in a full breath of air. As long as it doesn't block too much air, I guess I could see it replicating high altitude conditions.

Falcons '11

Unless you plan to have the thing strapped onto your face 24/7, it will not completely acclimate you. IMO, it doesn't sound like it would really help THAT much. It might help a little though if you're from sea-level.

Like Patriot said, you don't really need something like that. Everyone else from sea-level (most people, it seems like) will be having just as hard of a time as you will. The physical training for the first week takes acclimation into consideration, btw.

CadCandMateus

lol, this is funny

SemperExcelsius

Haha well I used to play the flute a couple years ago and my teacher had a very similiar device that would allow for better lung capacity, etc. I never trained with it, but they do work.

Personally I wouldn't use just cause it seems somewhat silly to be doing that when you could be running and working on strengthening your heart rather than just your lungs.

undercoveraviatr

i know. i would be doing this ON TOP of running, swimming, etc.

redhead89

WOW!!! haha don't worry about it kiddo, you'll be fine. There's not THAT much running in basic and a lot of first beast is spent getting you acclimated to the alititude and whipping people into shape.

Soaring Dad

Don't bother; this device would not help you acclimate to altitude. Respiratory fatigue is not the limiting factor you will face (although it might feel like it). The breathlessness we sea-level folks experience when visiting the USAFA has to do with the reduced partial pressure of oxygen in the air due to a lower atmospheric pressure there. About the only way to adapt to this before going to altitude is to be exposed to either hypobaric conditions at sea level (read altitude chamber living - not practical) or to breath gas with a lowered oxygen content for a substantial portion of the day/night. There are actually "simulated altitude" tents that can be used for this...not as expensive as using a hypobaric chamber, but still expensive and IMHO not worth it for your endeavor.

My advice, get in the best shape you can and don't worry about it too much. Most of your class-mates will be sharing your misery. You should notice an improvement after a few days (acid-base shifts in the blood), although it will take a few months to completely acclimate (increased hemoglobin, red cell count, etc).

Good luck!

(Soaring Dad is a Physiologist (day job) - and a glider pilot (weekends))

Soaring Dad

Don't bother; this device would not help you acclimate to altitude. Respiratory fatigue is not the limiting factor you will face (although it might feel like it The breathlessness we sea-level folks experience when visiting the USAFA has to do with the reduced partial pressure of oxygen in the air due to a lower atmospheric pressure there. About the only way to adapt to this before going to altitude is to be exposed to either hypobaric conditions at sea level (read altitude chamber living - not practical) or to breath gas with a lowered oxygen content for a substantial portion of the day/night. There are actually "simulated altitude" tents that can be used for this...not as expensive as using a hypobaric chamber, but still expensive and IMHO not worth it for your endeavor.

My advice, get in the best shape you can and don't worry about it too much. Most of your class-mates will be sharing your misery. You should notice an improvement after a few days (acid-base shifts in the blood), although it will take a few months to completely acclimate (increased hemoglobin, red cell count, etc).

Good luck!

(Soaring Dad is a Physiologist (day job) - and a glider pilot (weekends))

Soaring Dad

Not sure why my message was posted twice. Anyhow, as I said above good luck!

undercoveraviatr

hmm..okay, thank you for that helpful advice. do you recommend any type of trainer?

KittiesandFish11

just go swimming a lot. After swimming TONS of laps each week your lung capacity and endurance will increase greatly.

hornetguy

Funny you say that. I go swimming three times a week now. After one month, it actually improved my AFT time by a minute.