Paula Radcliffe

Quello che sembrava un difetto coordinativo mai rimosso, potrebbe essere una tecnica di respirazione che spiega in parte le prestazioni spaziali di Paula RADCLIFFE in maratona. Innata o acquisita? Magari ce lo diranno i figli, intanto Michele FERRARI la dimostra dopo averla provata come promesso quattro mesi fa.

Even the rhythmic reclining of the head by Froome, interpreted by most as the continuing need to scrutinize the power meter on the handlebar, may be a breathing technique, already used by the British marathon runner Paula Radcliffe, to ensure an optimal pulmonary ventilation.

Eccoci accontentati con il post di inizio novembre: il piegamento in avanti della testa riduce la tensione della struttura miofasciale anteriore, facilita l’innalzamento del diaframma e quindi lo svuotamento dei polmoni; il successivo piegamento indietro della testa aumenta l’atto inspiratorio. Tutto allenabile.

What do Paula Radcliffe and Chris Froome have in common, in addition to being British? Both adopt a special breathing technique, very similar to each other.

Looking Froome in action on the Mont Ventoux during the TdF 2013, one can’t help but notice that the English cyclist rhythmically lowers his head, with a frequency that tends to increase along with the pace of the riding: every 5-7 seconds when the effort is moderate, every 2-4 seconds when he attacks, as he did 5-6 km from the finish line on the French mountain.

Some observers have attributed these movements of the head to the obsessive need of “robo-athlete” to check watts and heart rate from the SRM mounted on the handlebar. I disagree: any lowering of the head by Froome corresponds to a forced expiration, implemented with a special technique.

Bowing the head facilitates the elevation of the diaphragm, further encouraging the complete emptying of the lungs: the anterior myofascial tension (from the jaw to the symphysis pubis), proper of the position in hyperextension of the head of the rider looking forward, is in fact reduced, thus facilitating the full expiration.

A complete elevation of the diaphragm reduces the intra-abdominal pressure, effectively promoting the venous and lymphatic return from the lower limbs, whose action, relieved from toxic elements, becomes “lighter”.

http://youtu.be/2QgFsH1EhnQ

The next deep breath, made through the nose and mouth and with the head in hyperextension (looking forward for the cyclist, up slightly for the runner), in addition to oxygenate the air in the lungs, reduces the endothoracic pressure by increasing diastolic filling and cardiac output and therefore the amount of oxygen that gets to the muscles.

When the effort is moderate forced expiration-inspiration occurs every 3-4 breaths (as suggested by Obree), when the effort is high every 1-2 breaths (as done by Froome during his attack on the Ventoux). I tried this technique on myself in the past few weeks: I noticed that lowering the head the full diaphragmatic expiration is easier, and if you ride at high RPM (like Froome… ), each exhalation is accompanied by a 15-20% increase in instantaneous watts (better venous return? less myofascial tension?).

I believe that this breathing technique, adequately trained and associated with a strengthening of the respiratory muscles, may bring advantages over an “uncontrolled” breathing , so frequent even among top athletes.

Share