During exercise, breathing becomes both faster and deeper to meet the increased oxygen demands of the muscles and to remove excess carbon dioxide.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Increased Breathing Rate: The number of breaths you take per minute increases significantly. This is driven by the brain sensing changes in blood pH (due to increased carbon dioxide production) and signaling the respiratory muscles to contract more frequently.
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Increased Tidal Volume (Depth of Breath): Each breath you take becomes larger, meaning you inhale and exhale a greater volume of air. This allows for more oxygen to be extracted from each breath and more carbon dioxide to be expelled.
These changes are coordinated to ensure efficient gas exchange, which is essential for providing the energy needed for physical activity. The heart also plays a crucial role by increasing its rate to deliver the oxygen-rich blood to the muscles and remove waste products.
Essentially, your body shifts into a higher gear regarding respiration to fuel the demands of exercise.
