New study links human reaction times to breathing cycles

New study links human reaction times to breathing cycles

Imagine swimmers on starting blocks poised to dive at the sound of the starting horn or the driver of a car going 60 mph suddenly needing to brake to avoid a collision. A small fraction of a second in response time could make the difference between winning or losing and life or death.

Ready, set, exhale: Breathing out linked to faster responses

Imagine swimmers on starting blocks, poised to dive at the sound of the starting horn, or a driver traveling at 60 mph (97 kilometers per hour) who suddenly needs to brake to avoid a collision. A fraction of a second in response time could mean the difference between winning and losing—or between life and death.

Ready, set, exhale: Study links respiration and cognition

Neuroscientists at Northwestern University have made the surprising discovery that response speed on an exhalation is faster than on an inhalation by an average of 41 milliseconds (1/25th of a second). Response speed during pauses between breaths is also faster than inhalation by 21 milliseconds. The study is the first experiment to measure response speed during all phases of respiration including the pauses between.

Rhythm of Your Breath Controls Reaction Time

A new study shows people react 41 milliseconds faster while exhaling than inhaling, linking respiratory cycles directly to motor speed.