You breathe harder and faster when you are active because your body needs more oxygen to fuel working muscles and also needs to rid itself of excess carbon dioxide. An increase in the rate and depth of breathing, or respiration, means you are bringing in more oxygen that your body can transport through your system and getting rid of respiratory waste like carbon dioxide. You will breathe harder and faster the more active you are, such as when you do intense aerobic exercise.
Normal Respiration and Gas Exchange
Your respiratory system is made up of your nose, throat, trachea and lungs. According to the American Lung Association, an adult takes an average of 15 to 20 breaths each minute, which is 20,000 breaths daily. When the oxygen you inhale is in your lungs, it is transferred to the bloodstream and sent to your body's cells, which is a necessary fuel. In addition, when oxygen reaches body cells, it is exchanged for a gaseous waste called carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is then carried by the bloodstream to the lungs, where it is removed when you breathe out.
Respiration Control
When you inhale and exhale, the respiratory center in the brain stem controls the rate and depth. The respiratory center controls the rate and depth based on the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide detected in the blood by chemoreceptors. For example, carbon dioxide levels increase during exercise at the same time certain areas of the body need more oxygen, which alerts chemoreceptors. This causes you to breathe harder and faster to get rid of excess carbon dioxide while increasing oxygen supply.
Efficient Respiration During Activity
During an aerobic activity like running, inhaling and exhaling according to a 3:2 ratio helps to supply oxygen and get rid of excess carbon dioxide, according to Stew Smith, a former Navy Seal and fitness expert, in an article for Military.com. For example, this means that runners should inhale for three foot strikes and exhale for two strikes. Experiment with this breathing ratio depending on the type of aerobic activity you are pursuing. If you are not breathing efficiently, the carbon dioxide level will increase in your body, which increases your heart rate while decreasing your endurance in any aerobic activity including running, swimming, dancing and biking. During a resistance activity like weightlifting, exhale during the lift and inhale during release.
Activity's Effects on Respiration
Your activity's effects on respiration are both immediate and long-term. During strenuous activity, you breathe harder and faster immediately. Long-term effects include stronger muscles used during respiration, more oxygen brought in during inhalation and an increase in gaseous exchange within the body -- meaning more oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal.
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