What is High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)?
HIIT involves short bursts of intense exercise separated from low-intensity recovery periods. The actual exercise involved varies but commonly includes sprinting, cycling, rowing, rope jumping, resistance exercises, etc., with 10 – 30 minutes in duration.
HIIT typically requires 80% to 100% of your maximum effort, during which the heart rate and breathing rate are pushed to a high level.
The Issue to Asthmatics
While HIIT could offer a range of training and health benefits, it does put on higher pressure to the body, in particular, your heart, muscles and breathing. For asthmatics, elevated breathing could trigger Exercise-induced Asthma or Bronchoconstriction (EIB). Statistics show that, up to 90% of people with asthma have EIB.
Typical triggers for asthmatics include:
• Cold air
• Dry air
• Over-breathing
Although naturally, HIIT demands a high level of breathing, most asthmatics tend to over-breathe, which puts an extra burden on their airways, which are more sensitive to cold and dry air than normal airways.
One of the key reasons for over-breathing is the body’s high sensitivity to CO2 in the lung and blood, a characteristic of most asthmatics.
AYO BT – A Tool to Prevent EIB Naturally
AYO BT addresses the above three triggers all-in-one by design, which doesn’t require prescribed inhalers.
- It effectively extends the airway, which warms and moistens the inhaled air.
- It reduces air intake, thus helping prevent over-breathing.
- It helps train the body to be less sensitive to CO2, reducing the urge to breathe heavily during HIIT, thus reducing over-breathing right at the root.
Breathing Trainer for Asthmatics – How to Use AYO BT for HIIT?
Condition the breathing before HIIT
• Adjust the air intake Dial to Levels 2 – 4.
• Wear the AYO BT and do a warm-up jog for 10 – 15 minutes.
During HIIT
• Adjust the air intake Dial to level 6 or higher.
• Wear AYO BT throughout the HIIT.
Cooling down after HIIT
• Adjust the air intake Dial to levels 2 – 4.
• Wear AYO BT for a 5 – 10 minute cool-down jog.
• Reduce breathing with AYO BT right after the HIIT session allowing quick recovery from the workouts while preventing EIB effectively.
Related article: Why AYO BT Could Help Prevent Exercise-Induced Asthma