How to Improve Cardiorespiratory Function and Breathing
Jun 28, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
增强心肺功能、改善呼吸可从多方面着手。有氧运动、力量训练能直接刺激心肺，提升其工作效率；呼吸练习改善呼吸功能；合理饮食提供营养支持，降低Disease风险；规律作息保证心肺得到充分休息。综合运用这些Method并长期坚持，便能有效增强心肺功能。
Cardiopulmonary function can generally be enhanced and respiration improved through aerobic exercise, strength training, breathing exercises, a balanced diet, and regular作息. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Aerobic Exercise: Aerobic exercise is an effective way to improve cardiopulmonary function. Activities such as running, swimming, and cycling continuously elevate heart rate, accelerate blood circulation, and make the heart and lungs work more efficiently. Long-term adherence to aerobic exercise increases the volume of blood pumped with each heartbeat, improves pulmonary ventilation, and significantly enhances oxygen uptake and delivery capacity.
2. Strength Training: Strength training not only helps build muscle but also positively impacts cardiopulmonary function. During strength-training exercises such as weightlifting or push-ups, the body requires more oxygen, forcing the heart to pump harder and the lungs to exchange gases more rapidly. This stimulation gradually strengthens cardiopulmonary function and boosts overall metabolic levels.
3. Breathing Exercises: Specific breathing exercises can help improve respiratory function. For example, diaphragmatic breathing involves fully expanding the abdomen to lower the diaphragm, allowing the lungs to take in more air and increasing lung capacity. Pursed-lip breathing, in which one exhales slowly through pursed lips, prolongs exhalation time, prevents premature collapse of small airways, improves respiratory efficiency, and strengthens respiratory muscles.
4. Balanced Diet: A balanced diet provides essential nutritional support for cardiopulmonary function. Vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, along with high-quality protein sources such as fish and legumes, and whole grains, help maintain nutritional balance. Reducing intake of high-salt, high-fat, and high-sugar foods lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and supports heart and lung health.
5. Regular作息: Maintaining a regular作息 is fundamental to sustaining good cardiopulmonary function. Sufficient sleep allows the heart and lungs to rest adequately and recover their function. A stable circadian rhythm ensures coordinated operation of all body systems, maintaining steady heart and breathing rates. Long-term adherence to a regular作息 helps stabilize and enhance cardiopulmonary function.
To improve cardiopulmonary function and respiration, it is recommended to combine the above methods. Schedule 3–5 sessions per week of aerobic and strength training exercises, practice breathing exercises daily, maintain a scientifically balanced diet, and ensure 7–8 hours of high-quality sleep each night. Consistent adherence over time will lead to improved cardiopulmonary health and better respiratory function.
