Your breathing rate is also referred to as your respiratory rate, which is measured by the number of breaths you take in one minute. You can easily measure this by simply counting the number breaths you take in a minute; the average resting respiratory rate is 15 to 20 breaths per minute. When you exercise, your body needs extra oxygen due to the increased workload. That's why your breathing rate increases during and for sometime after exercise.
Breathing 101
Breathing consists of two phases called inspiration and expiration. During the inspiration phase, your diaphragm contracts to open up the chest cavity and allow oxygen to flow into the lungs. The oxygen enters small sacks called alveoli in the lungs and is then transferred throughout the body via red blood cells. The expiration phase does just the opposite. The waste product, carbon dioxide, is released from the body as the diaphragm relaxes to force it out of the lungs.
Exercise
During exercise, your breathing rate increases significantly. "Anatomy and Physiology" by Rod R. Seeley, Trent D. Stephens and Philip Tate points out that young man's oxygen intake may be 250 ml during normal rest periods but as high as 3,600 ml during high-intensity exercise. Your breathing rate will continue to be elevated post-workout, but will gradually slow down to the normal resting rate within minutes, depending on your fitness level.
Heart Rate/Respiration
The respiratory system and circulatory system -- blood vessels -- work together when you exercise. This is the reason your heart rate increases along with your breathing rate. As your breathing rate increases, more oxygen becomes available to be transferred to your muscles via the blood vessels. This fast-moving process is very efficient, but it has limits. As your respiratory system and circulatory system reach their maximum efficiency, you may start to feel out of breath or very weak.
Hyperventilating
When your breathing rate becomes too rapid, you are hyperventilating. This can lead to symptoms of gasping, trembling or choking. It is caused by the release of too much carbon dioxide. Treat this problem by taking slow, deep breaths for several minutes until breathing is easier. An elevated breathing rate that lasts longer than 10 or 20 minutes after your workout is over may be a sign of asthma or some other respiratory problem. Talk to your doctor if this is the case.
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