Breathing exercises - spirometers

[Dave2002]

Has anyone tried some of the cheap breathing exercise gadgets available at Amazon. Typically under £20. They seem to go under the name of spirometers.

One review seems to present an objective view - keeping the balls up in the air - something not possible a week beforehand.

[Serial_Apologist]

Has anyone tried some of the cheap breathing exercise gadgets available at Amazon. Typically under £20. They seem to go under the name of spirometers.

One review seems to present an objective view - keeping the balls up in the air - something not possible a week beforehand.

Anyway, I'd rather stop breathing than acquire one of those thingies! (They haven't de-nationalised the air, so we don't yet pay for that).

[Dave2002]

Anyway, I'd rather stop breathing than acquire one of those thingies! (They haven't de-nationalised the air, so we don't yet pay for that).

I'll take that as a "No" then - with regard to you!

I believe that some gadgets and instruments do make a difference - hopefully beneficial - so I'm not dismissing those out of hand. When I used to play wind instruments a lot (mostly flute) I did experience some health issues, but when my breathing was checked there was a comment that my capacity and health at the time was very good. However, oboists I believe may get health problems because of the peculiar pressure requirements of their instruments.

Given that there is some evidence that gadgets and insttuments can modify one's breathing, I was inquiring whether anyone has tried these spirometer things, as some people I know do have breathing problems, and I wonder if these can actually help them.

[Serial_Apologist]

I'll take that as a "No" then - with regard to you!

[richardfinegold]

They are used in hospitals after patients have abdominal or thoracic surgery to prevent pulmonary atelectasis. Are they being marketed to the general public now? They can be useful if someone gets Covid

[cloughie]

Anyway, I'd rather stop breathing than acquire one of those thingies! (They haven't de-nationalised the air, so we don't yet pay for that).

I think I’d rather keep them where I know where they are!

[kernelbogey]

A couple of freebies here:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/aug/26/how-to-take-the-perfect-breath-why-learning-to-breathe-properly-could-change-your-life

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/jul/26/every-breath-you-take-the-lost-art-of-breathing

[Bryn]

A couple of freebies here:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/aug/26/how-to-take-the-perfect-breath-why-learning-to-breathe-properly-could-change-your-life

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...t-of-breathing

I have not read either article, as yet, but are they not mainly about utilising both costal and diaphragmatic breathing? I think it was Howard Skempton who prescribed the Improvisation Rite "Six deep breaths", back in the days of the Morley College Experimental Music Class (late 1960s to early 1970s). I seem to recall that diaphragmatic breathing is more commonly employed by men than by women. Singers know all about employing both costal and diaphramatic, even if they don't know the nomenclature.