Breathing RateNCT07650279
Coherence Breathing Before Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
A study testing Coherence Breathing and Spontaneous Breathing in people with Breathing Rate, run by Human Performance Lab of Monmouth University at 1 site in United States.
Trial 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… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 19 to 45 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Breathing Rate
- What is being tested?
- Coherence Breathing and Spontaneous Breathing
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 11 Jun 2026to 6 Oct 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 19 to 45 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 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).
Who cannot join
- 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).
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site
Monmouth University Graduate Center, Human Performance Lab, Room 222
West Long Branch, New Jersey, 07764
Tamara Rial-Faigenbaum, PhD, 2159878984, trialfai@monmouth.edu
Jaime Pigman, PhD, 732-749-0160, jpigman@monmouth.edu
About this study
Official title: Acute Effects of Coherence Breathing on Cardiopulmonary Exercise Responses in Recreationally Active Adults: A Randomized Crossover Trial
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
Read the detailed description
Slow-paced breathing performed at approximately six breaths per minute has been shown to influence autonomic nervous system activity and heart rate variability. Coherence breathing may improve physiological regulation by enhancing cardiorespiratory synchronization and vagal modulation. However, little is known about whether a brief bout of coherence breathing performed immediately before exercise can influence cardiopulmonary exercise performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the acute effects of pre-exercise coherence breathing on cardiopulmonary exercise performance and autonomic responses in recreationally active adults. This study will utilize a randomized, counterbalanced crossover design. Recreationally active adults aged 19 to 45 years will complete two experimental conditions in random order separated by a minimum of 48 hours (maximum of 7 days). In one condition, participants will perform 5 minutes of guided coherence breathing using a visual breathing pacer at approximately 6 breaths per minute while seated. In the comparison condition, participants will sit quietly for 5 minutes with spontaneous breathing. Following each condition, participants will complete a standardized treadmill warm-up and a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). Heart rate variability will be assessed during baseline seated rest and during the breathing intervention. Cardiopulmonary variables collected during CPET will include oxygen consumption, heart rate, respiratory responses, and ratings of perceived exertion. Recovery responses over 5 minutes seated include heart rate and blood pressure will also be assessed following exercise.
Findings from this study may improve our understanding of breathing strategies for athletic performance. Specifically, whether slow paced breathing through coherence breathing can serve as a practical autonomic priming strategy before maximal exercise. Moreover, insights from this study may provide insight into the acute interaction between breathing regulation, autonomic function, and exercise responses.
- Conditions
- Breathing Rate
- Being tested
- Coherence Breathing, Spontaneous Breathing
- Keywords
- heart rate variability, breathing, exercise testing, heart rate recovery, warm-up, slow paced breathing
- Medical subject headings
- Respiratory Aspiration
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Coherence BreathingBehavioural
Also called slow-paced breathing, resonance breathing
Participants complete 5 minutes of guided coherence breathing which consists or around 6 breathing cycles (5 seconds inhale and 5 seconds exhale)
Spontaneous BreathingBehavioural
Participants sit quietly for 5 minutes with their regular spontaneous breathing
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Coherence Breathing | Experimental | Participants complete 5 minutes of guided coherence breathing Receives: Behavioral: Coherence Breathing |
| Spontaneous Breathing | Active comparator | Participants sit quietly for 5 minutes with spontaneous breathing Receives: Behavioral: Spontaneous Breathing |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Peak Oxygen consumption
Peak oxygen consumption measured during the maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) using a portable metabolic analyzer (Vo2 Master)
Measured: during each maximal exercise test immediately after the breathing condition
Secondary outcomes (4)
rating of perceived exertion (RPE)
using the RPE borg scale (from 1-10)
Measured: measured at baseline, during the exercise test and after recovery
Heart Rate Recovery
Heart Rate (bpm) immediately after completing the CPET over a period of 5 minutes
Measured: difference between peak HR during CPET and HR at minute 1, minute 2 and minute 5 of recovery.
Time to completion of maximal exercise test
total duration of the exercise test since test starts to voluntary termination
Measured: during the exercise test
Peak Heart Rate
maximal heart rate achieved during the maximal exercise test
Measured: measured during the maximal exercise test
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted16 Jun 2026
- Study start11 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion6 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion6 Oct 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Breathing RateStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Human Performance Lab of Monmouth University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07650279
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- SP2645
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 10 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 18 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Trinkunas E, Kairiukstiene Z, Trinkunaite M, Poderiene K, Brazdzionyte R, Poderys J. Post-Exercise Controlled Breathing Enhances Cardiovascular Recovery and Autonomic Balance: A Randomised Crossover Study. Medicina (Kaunas). 2026 Feb 3;62(2):318. doi: 10.3390/medicina62020318.
PubMed 41752717Laborde S, Allen MS, Borges U, Dosseville F, Hosang TJ, Iskra M, Mosley E, Salvotti C, Spolverato L, Zammit N, Javelle F. Effects of voluntary slow breathing on heart rate and heart rate variability: A systematic review and a meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2022 Jul;138:104711. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104711. Epub 2022 May 24.
PubMed 35623448Sevoz-Couche C, Laborde S. Heart rate variability and slow-paced breathing:when coherence meets resonance. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2022 Apr;135:104576. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104576. Epub 2022 Feb 12.
PubMed 35167847
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Acute Effects of Coherence Breathing on Cardiopulmonary Exercise Responses in Recreationally Active Adults: A Randomized Crossover Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07650279
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SP2645
- Conditions
- Breathing Rate
- Keywords
- heart rate variability, breathing, exercise testing, heart rate recovery, warm-up, slow paced breathing
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Human Performance Lab of Monmouth UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 11 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 6 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 6 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 16 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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
Detailed description
Slow-paced breathing performed at approximately six breaths per minute has been shown to influence autonomic nervous system activity and heart rate variability. Coherence breathing may improve physiological regulation by enhancing cardiorespiratory synchronization and vagal modulation. However, little is known about whether a brief bout of coherence breathing performed immediately before exercise can influence cardiopulmonary exercise performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the acute effects of pre-exercise coherence breathing on cardiopulmonary exercise performance and autonomic responses in recreationally active adults. This study will utilize a randomized, counterbalanced crossover design. Recreationally active adults aged 19 to 45 years will complete two experimental conditions in random order separated by a minimum of 48 hours (maximum of 7 days). In one condition, participants will perform 5 minutes of guided coherence breathing using a visual breathing pacer at approximately 6 breaths per minute while seated. In the comparison condition, participants will sit quietly for 5 minutes with spontaneous breathing. Following each condition, participants will complete a standardized treadmill warm-up and a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). Heart rate variability will be assessed during baseline seated rest and during the breathing intervention. Cardiopulmonary variables collected during CPET will include oxygen consumption, heart rate, respiratory responses, and ratings of perceived exertion. Recovery responses over 5 minutes seated include heart rate and blood pressure will also be assessed following exercise.
Findings from this study may improve our understanding of breathing strategies for athletic performance. Specifically, whether slow paced breathing through coherence breathing can serve as a practical autonomic priming strategy before maximal exercise. Moreover, insights from this study may provide insight into the acute interaction between breathing regulation, autonomic function, and exercise responses.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Coherence Breathing | Experimental | Behavioral: Coherence BreathingParticipants complete 5 minutes of guided coherence breathing |
| Spontaneous Breathing | Active comparator | Behavioral: Spontaneous BreathingParticipants sit quietly for 5 minutes with spontaneous breathing |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 19 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- 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.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- 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.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Coherence BreathingAlso: slow-paced breathing, resonance breathingParticipants complete 5 minutes of guided coherence breathing which consists or around 6 breathing cycles (5 seconds inhale and 5 seconds exhale) | Behavioural | Coherence Breathing |
| Spontaneous BreathingParticipants sit quietly for 5 minutes with their regular spontaneous breathing | Behavioural | Spontaneous Breathing |
Primary outcome
Peak Oxygen consumption
Time frame: during each maximal exercise test immediately after the breathing condition
Peak oxygen consumption measured during the maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) using a portable metabolic analyzer (Vo2 Master)
4 secondary outcomes
rating of perceived exertion (RPE)
Time frame: measured at baseline, during the exercise test and after recovery
Heart Rate Recovery
Time frame: difference between peak HR during CPET and HR at minute 1, minute 2 and minute 5 of recovery.
Time to completion of maximal exercise test
Time frame: during the exercise test
Peak Heart Rate
Time frame: measured during the maximal exercise test
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Jun 2026.
- Background: PubMed 41752717Trinkunas E, Kairiukstiene Z, Trinkunaite M, Poderiene K, Brazdzionyte R, Poderys J. Post-Exercise Controlled Breathing Enhances Cardiovascular Recovery and Autonomic Balance: A Randomised Crossover Study. Medicina (Kaunas). 2026 Feb 3;62(2):318. doi: 10.3390/medicina62020318.
- Background: PubMed 35623448Laborde S, Allen MS, Borges U, Dosseville F, Hosang TJ, Iskra M, Mosley E, Salvotti C, Spolverato L, Zammit N, Javelle F. Effects of voluntary slow breathing on heart rate and heart rate variability: A systematic review and a meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2022 Jul;138:104711. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104711. Epub 2022 May 24.
- Background: PubMed 35167847Sevoz-Couche C, Laborde S. Heart rate variability and slow-paced breathing:when coherence meets resonance. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2022 Apr;135:104576. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104576. Epub 2022 Feb 12.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Breathing Rate
Enrolling by invitationObservational study
Allergy, Asthma, and Atopic Eczema in Finland
Asthma, Asthma in Children
Active, not recruitingObservational study
Study on the Impact of Different Feeding Methods on Allergy Prevention and Digestive Absorption in Infants and Young Children
Infant Allergy, Infant Gut Health
Active, not recruitingPhase 2
Enhancement of Neurocognitive Functions by Hippocampal Sparing Radiotherapy
Radiation of Neurocranial Region
RecruitingPhase 3
Pembrolizumab With or Without Maintenance Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (Sac-TMT; MK-2870) in Metastatic Squamous Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) [MK-2870-023]
Non-small Cell Lung Cancer, NSCLC
RecruitingPhase 3
Testing the Addition of a Type of Drug Called Immunotherapy to the Usual Chemotherapy Treatment for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer, an ALCHEMIST Treatment Trial (Chemo-IO [ACCIO])
Lung Non-Small Cell Carcinoma, Lung Non-Small Cell Squamous Carcinoma
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Coherence Breathing and Spontaneous Breathing in people with Breathing Rate, run by Human Performance Lab of Monmouth University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Tamara Rial-Faigenbaum, PhD (2159878984, trialfai@monmouth.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Peak Oxygen consumption (time frame: during each maximal exercise test immediately after the breathing condition). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07650279, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Jun 2026.