Heavy Lifting Breathing

Heavy lifting breathing differs from lower-level corrective breathing mainly by adding the Valsalva maneuver at higher intensities. Stacking the thoracic diaphragm over the pelvic floor allows inhalation to create multidirectional abdominal and thoracic expansion. Heavy lifting benefits from both intra-abdominal pressure and intrathoracic pressure for spinal and rib cage stability. The preferred heavy lifting sequence is exhale, pause with some abdominal tension, inhale while preserving position, and then lift. Bracing before inhaling is discouraged because it can limit abdominal and upper thoracic expansion. Mouth breathing is not typically cued because it may increase hyperinflation risk and disrupt diaphragm-pelvic floor stacking. For heavy loads, the lifter holds the breath with a Valsalva maneuver.