Editing Strength training (section)

===Breathing===
Like numerous forms of exercise, weight training has the potential to cause the breathing pattern to deepen. This helps to meet increased oxygen requirements. One approach to breathing during weight training consists of avoiding holding one's breath and breathing shallowly. The benefits of this include protecting against a lack of oxygen, passing out, and increased [[blood pressure]]. The general procedure of this method is to inhale when lowering the weight (the eccentric portion) and exhale when lifting the weight (the concentric portion). However, the reverse, inhaling when lifting and exhaling when lowering, may also be recommended. There is little difference between the two techniques in terms of their influence on [[heart rate]] and blood pressure.<ref>{{cite book | first1 = Steven J | last1 = Fleck | first2 = William J | last2 = Kraemer|title=Designing resistance training programs |isbn=978-0-7360-8170-2 |edition=Fourth | location = Leeds | publisher = Human Kinetics | date = 2014 | page = 12 }}</ref>

On the other hand, for people working with extremely heavy loads (such as [[Powerlifting|powerlifters]]), breathing à la the [[Valsalva maneuver]] is often used. This involves deeply inhaling and then bracing down with the abdominal and lower back muscles as the air is held in during the entire rep. Air is then expelled once the rep is done, or after a number of reps is done. The Valsalva maneuver leads to an increase in intrathoracic and intra-abdominal pressure. This enhances the structural integrity of the torso—protecting against excessive spinal flexion or extension and providing a secure base to lift heavy weights effectively and securely.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hackett |first1=Daniel A. |last2=Chow |first2=Chin-Moi |date=August 2013 |title=The Valsalva maneuver: its effect on intra-abdominal pressure and safety issues during resistance exercise |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23222073/ |journal=Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research |volume=27 |issue=8 |pages=2338–2345 |doi=10.1519/JSC.0b013e31827de07d |issn=1533-4287 |pmid=23222073}}</ref> However, as the Valsalva maneuver increases blood pressure, lowers heart rate, and restricts breathing, it can be a dangerous method for those with hypertension or for those who faint easily.