Powering Up Your Performance workshop

Coach Reflection - Anna Tetlow

In the recent workshop Powering your Performance at Ivanhoe Edge this semester Harry, an Ivanhoe Edge student in year 8, worked hard on training his respiratory system to help optimise his performance and recovery in the sports he loves - basketball and soccer. 

During the sessions together we looked at Harry’s posture and breath patterns, both at rest and during exercise to identify and correct any dysfunctional breathing patterns, measuring his average BOLT score (body oxygen level test) and his carbon dioxide tolerance. Harry practiced over a 4-week period his breath awareness, learning to understand the mechanics and physiology of breathing using correct anatomical techniques. With postural correction and respiratory muscle strengthening exercises he improved both scores by nearly 15 seconds - excellent work Harry, well done! This assessment indicated overall respiratory health and by expanding Harry’s carbon dioxide threshold to improve fitness and endurance in his sport at school, Harry pointed out he also improved his skills and safety as a surfer - his other great passion outside of school. Harry learned that breath control was both a mental and physical training and that his breath was a powerful and largely unappreciated lever on his heart rate. The practical exercises taught in the workshop can be used not only on the sports field to help his performance but also in the class room or during exams for focus and stress management in real time. 

Training bodies to breath less, slow and rhythmically improves athletic performance, builds resilience and improves emotional regulation. In the respiratory system training workshops for performance, health and wellbeing at Ivanhoe Edge students also learn tools to navigate the Stress – Calm Continuum with control, using breath to improve their parasympathetic capacity and maximise mental and physical resilience. Breathing matters to your performance and training to strengthen proprioception, postural and respiratory muscles can significantly improve breathing and optimise performance. Breathe Better!

Student Reflection - Harry Hall

Through The Edge program, I was lucky enough to recently participate in the recent Respiratory System Training — Powering Up Your Performance with Anna Tetlow. It was a 60 minute workshop that combined really useful information understanding the science, anatomy and physiology of breathing, needed to optimise my performance, with practical activities and exercises to practice. Anna was really great - very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful.I learnt through this workshop how my body and brain is balanced and connected by my breath. I learned how to be conscious of my breathing and manage this balance when I need specific results in my sport. 

I now have tools which will assist me during games, to help enhance my endurance and manage stress levels. It was really interesting to learn about the importance of ‘rest and recovery’ and also needing parasympathetic skills to help me achieve my best performance. I learned that, slower, conscious breathing helps calm my body and focus my brain. Watching top athletics on TV and in the Olympics I can now see on the sidelines many of them are practicing similar techniques using their breathing.I can also see that what I learnt in this workshop, will definitely extend beyond the sports field into the classroom, helping me to be a better student. I learned specific breathing exercises for both endurance and recovery in my sport but also exactly what to do before or in an exam to calm my nerves. I would highly recommend it to anyone, and encourage you to take up the opportunity. It was incredibly insightful, science based information and I walked away with so many practical take away tools to assist me.