Coherence Breathing Before Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
United States20 participantsStarted 2026-06-11
Plain-language summary
This randomized crossover trial will examine the acute effects of pre-exercise coherence breathing on cardiopulmonary exercise responses in recreationally active adults. Participants will complete two experimental conditions in randomized order: 5 minutes of guided coherence breathing and 5 minutes of quiet seated spontaneous breathing. Following each condition, participants will perform a standardized treadmill warm-up and a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test. Outcomes will include oxygen consumption, heart rate, heart rate recovery, perceived exertion, time to completion, and heart rate variability. The findings may help determine whether coherence breathing can serve as an effective autonomic priming strategy before a bout of maximal exercise
Who can participate
Age range
19 Years – 45 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adults aged 19 to 45 years.
* Any biological sex.
* Recreationally active, defined as accumulating at least 3 hours per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
* Able to perform maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a treadmill.
* Able to provide informed consent.
* Cleared for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity based on the PAR-Q+ (or PAR-Q 2023).
Exclusion Criteria:
* Accumulate less than 3 hours per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
* Presence of a health condition that contraindicates maximal exercise testing, including:
Cardiovascular disease. Pulmonary disease. Metabolic disorders. Neuromuscular disorders. Orthopedic limitations that impair exercise performance.
* Acute illness that would interfere with participation or exercise testing.
* Inability or unwillingness to complete study procedures.
* Inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent.
* Not cleared for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity based on the PAR-Q+ (or PAR-Q+ 2023).
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial is listed as 'not yet recruiting' — do you know when it's expected to open, and would it make sense for me to wait for it or pursue other options in the meantime?
2The trial is looking at coherence breathing done before a cardiopulmonary exercise test — can you explain what coherence breathing actually involves and whether there's anything about my current condition that would make doing it before that kind of test risky for me?
3Since the main thing being measured is peak oxygen consumption during the exercise test, what would the results actually tell us about my heart or lung function, and how might that information change my care plan?
4This study is listed as Phase NA, which often means it's focused on measurement or feasibility rather than testing a treatment — can you help me understand what I would actually gain from participating versus just having a standard cardiopulmonary exercise test on its own?
5Are there any breathing conditions, heart issues, or medications I'm currently taking that might affect how my body responds to coherence breathing, and would my doctor need to review those before I could safely take part in something like this??
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Peak Oxygen consumption
Timeframe: during each maximal exercise test immediately after the breathing condition
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07650279
SponsorHuman Performance Lab of Monmouth University