People who know how often they breathe per minute and their breathing volume can track and understand their stress levels. They can also improve their respiratory health and reduce stroke risks, high blood pressure, obesity, anxiety, or depression. Others may use it to monitor asthma or sleep apnea. Here are how a mobile breathing rate sensor works and its benefits
Mobile breathing rate sensor: how it works
Most mobile devices have a built-in accelerometer that, when activated, will measure whatever movement is made on the phone or tablet. This measurement can then be used to track whatever activity you engage in, such as walking, running, or cycling. The concept behind mobile breathing rate monitoring software is that each ‘breath’ you take can be measured by the app and then stored for later analysis to gain insight into your fitness levels over time. The goal is to encourage you to take regular breaks throughout the day to avoid working out too much and ensure that your muscles are given time to recover.
Benefits of using a mobile breathing rate sensor
- Monitor your performance during exercise
A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that using a mobile breathing sensor was more effective than using visual feedback alone for improving running economy. Running economy is the amount of oxygen used during exercise, and a low value is associated with improved endurance performance. The breathing sensor was able to help people use less oxygen during exercise compared to visual feedback alone.
- Reduce stress levels
Regular deep breathing exercises such as the 4-7-8 technique can help you relax and reduce stress levels (2). A study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that daily meditation and deep breathing programs over eight weeks reduced stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms in people with the common mental disorder known as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The app ‘Calm’ includes a 4-7-8 guided breathing session which can be used for reducing stress.
- Promote better sleep
A breathing sensor can guide your breathing while you fall asleep. For example, the app ‘Sleep Cycle’ detects when you’re in REM sleep and guides you through progressive muscle relaxation exercises each evening before bedtime. This helps ensure that you enter deep sleep more quickly and remain there for longer, which helps promote a better night’s rest.
- Boost your mood
Meditation can have positive effects on both physical and mental well-being. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that people with depression reported significant improvements in mood and feelings of self-worth after using a mobile-based guided meditation program over 12 weeks.
Breathe more effectively
The 4-7-8 breathing technique can help with various lung and breathing-related problems. A study published in the journal ‘BMC Pulmonary Medicine’ found that people with asthma who were taught the 4-7-8 breathing technique had reduced symptoms of all causes of asthma and improved lung function. A previous study found that over 90% of people taught the 4-7-8 method reported a reduction in their asthma symptoms.
Breathing rate sensor tools are available in many types and sizes to measure how many breaths a person takes per minute. Measuring the user’s respiration rate can give information about their respiratory health, such as whether they might be suffering from an asthma attack or other conditions.