Diaphragmatic Breathing Reduces Exercise-induced Oxidative Stress. 


Author: Martarelli D, Cocchioni M, Scuri S, Pompei P.  

Affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle carceri, 62032 Camerino, Macerata, Italy. daniele.martarelli@unicam.it. 
Conference/Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.
Date published: 2009 Oct 29
Other:
  Word Count: 214  
    Diaphragmatic breathing is relaxing and therapeutic, reduces stress, and is a

fundamental procedure of Pranayama Yoga, Zen, transcendental meditation and other

meditation practices. Analysis of oxidative stress levels in people who meditate 

indicated that meditation correlates with lower oxidative stress levels, lower

cortisol levels and higher melatonin levels. It is known that cortisol inhibits

enzymes responsible for the antioxidant activity of cells and that melatonin is a

strong antioxidant; therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of

diaphragmatic breathing on exercise-induced oxidative stress and the putative

role of cortisol and melatonin hormones in this stress pathway. We monitored 16

athletes during an exhaustive training session. After the exercise, athletes were

divided in two equivalent groups of eight subjects. Subjects of the studied group

spent 1 h relaxing performing diaphragmatic breathing and concentrating on their 

breath in a quiet place. The other eight subjects, representing the control

group, spent the same time sitting in an equivalent quite place. Results

demonstrate that relaxation induced by diaphragmatic breathing increases the

antioxidant defense status in athletes after exhaustive exercise. These effects

correlate with the concomitant decrease in cortisol and the increase in

melatonin. The consequence is a lower level of oxidative stress, which suggests

that an appropriate diaphragmatic breathing could protect athletes from long-term

adverse effects of free radicals.