Valsalva Maneuver

One problem that can occur with resistance training relates to holding one s breath. Many people hold their breath when they are lifting a heavy weight, thereby increasing the amount of force they can produce. They are trying to exhale against a closed windpipe, an attempt that creates increased pressure in the trunk. This pressure stabilizes the trunk, allowing one to produce more force for a given movement. The technique is called the Valsalva maneuver. This maneuver causes an extremely rapid rise in blood pressure, which is followed by a fall in arterial blood pressure. The result is dizziness, blurred vision, and sometimes fainting. To avoid potential problems, concentrate on exhaling slowly while doing your resistance movement. You might practice a pattern of breathing in just before the lift, breathing out slowly through pursed lips during the lift, and breathing in again while you return to your starting position.