The Oxygen Advantage for athletes

My background as a polar sailor, sports educator, sophrologist combined with an equal passion for the sea and human potential naturally led me to work in athletes mental training. It was another ocean explorer, multi holder of world records in freediving, who first told me about Patrick McKeown. This encounter with the OxygenAdvantage method was revealing… Because I realized that my breathing wasn’t quite functional despite a sporting life spent outdoors and the interest I had in breathing. Functional breathing has allowed me to overcome recurrent sinusitis since early childhood. I literally discovered a form of comfort in breathing that I had never experienced before. 

Curiously, it turns out that many athletes do not have functional breathing. Hyper-ventilation, chest breathing, and mouth breathing are still very prevalent patterns that hinder performance and comfort.

There is a strong link between functional breathing and performance, whether physical or mental.

Learn more about the Oxygen Advantage method.

Some scientific information including ways to increase aerobic and anaerobic capacities

I am teaching the Oxygen Advantage online and face-to-face, in French and English.

My practice is located in Sommarøy, Tromsø, but video consultations allow me to break down the distances. Don’t hesitate to get in touch. 🙂

“Oxygen Advantage” group classes will be planned soon in person or online (program to come). 

Contact informations and prices at “Athletes’ mental training” 

Respiratory Pattern Disorders in Sport

A combination of chest breathing and excessive ventilation rates can cause significant problems with respiratory chemistry. This can trigger a decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the bloodstream. In response, the pH of the blood increases, creating a state of respiratory alkalosis. Respiratory alkalosis can activate changes in the physiological, psychological, and neural states of the body, which can have a detrimental effect on a person’s health and performance, as well as their musculoskeletal system (Bradley & Esformes, 2014).

In addition to chemical changes in the body, people with respiratory alkalosis also report a range of symptoms, such as exhaustion, headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light, trouble sleeping, chest pain, cramps, and feelings of shortness of breath.

For an athlete engaged in physical activity, the presence of an abnormal breathing pattern can manifest as premature shortness of breath or muscle fatigue, which inevitably leads to suboptimal performance (Chapman et al., 2016).
Another aspect to consider is the important role of normal respiratory mechanics in posture and stabilization of the spine. Studies have shown that breathing pattern disorders (BPD) can cause increased pain and contribute to motor control deficits, thus causing dysfunctional movement patterns (Bradley & Esformes, 2014).

How do you know if your breathing is functional or not?

1 / The “BOLT TEST” (body oxygen level test): Breathe naturally through your nose, mouth closed. At the end of the exhalation, hold your breath and close your nose with your fingers to make sure that no air enters the lungs. Count the number of seconds until you feel the first distinct desire to breathe in. Stop the timer and inhale through your nose. If the timer is less than 25 seconds, there is a high probability that your breathing is not functional.

2/ Four questions for the functional movement test.
“Do you feel tense?”
– Do you feel a cold sensation in your hands or feet?
“Do you notice yourself yawning?”
– Do you notice yourself breathing through your mouth at night?

Positive responses may confirm the diagnosis.

3/ “Maximum Breathlessness Test“