Introduction
Abdominal breathing is a specific breathing technique. Characteristic for abdominal breathing is that the breathing work is mainly done by the diaphragm, which is why abdominal breathing is also called diaphragmatic breathing. Breathing usually takes place unconsciously; abdominal breathing, on the other hand, is also actively used in many meditation techniques and breathing exercises. In adults, abdominal breathing is usually used when they are in a relaxed situation – this breathing technique uses very little energy.
The abdominal breathing in detail
In order to understand how abdominal breathing works, it is first necessary to understand the pressure conditions in the thoracic cavities. During abdominal breathing, the diaphragm is tensed, causing a deformation from an upwardly curved to a flat shape. This movement causes a negative pressure in the thoracic cavity and thus indirectly in the lungs.
This is compensated by inhalation. While inhalation in abdominal breathing takes place actively by tensing the diaphragm, exhalation takes place passively. The diaphragm relaxes, thereby bulging back towards the lungs, and excess pressure is created.
This is compensated by passive exhalation. The function of the diaphragm thus plays an essential role in abdominal breathing. The increase in volume during the inhalation phase and the associated reduction in pressure in the lungs can trigger inhalation suction. In addition, when the diaphragm is tensed, the ribs are pulled apart slightly and the chest area in which the lungs are located becomes even larger. This topic might also be of interest to you: Respiratory Musculature
Distinction from thoracic breathing
Besides abdominal breathing, chest breathing is also a possible breathing technique. In contrast to chest breathing, abdominal breathing is also often referred to as “healthy” breathing because it is used naturally when the body is relaxed. Chest breathing, on the other hand, consumes significantly more energy than abdominal breathing and is generally used in more stressful situations.
In contrast to abdominal breathing, chest breathing only ventilates the upper two thirds of the lungs. As with abdominal breathing, chest breathing requires the chest cavity in which the lungs are located to be enlarged to create negative pressure. However, this negative pressure is not caused by the tension of the diaphragm, but by muscle groups in the upper half of the body.
Especially the so-called intercostal muscles play an important role in chest breathing. As the name suggests, it is located between the ribs and ensures that the ribs rotate outwards when tensed. The resulting negative pressure causes air to be drawn in as a result of the increase in volume, which represents the inhalation during chest breathing. The exhalation works in a passive manner, as with abdominal breathing. By relaxing the respiratory muscles, the volume of the chest cavity decreases and the air escapes due to the excess pressure.
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