The car-dio test

What It Measures:

The CAR-DIO test primarily measures your body’s sensitivity to carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, which is indicative of your breathing efficiency and overall respiratory health. When you hold your breath, the oxygen levels in your body decrease and the carbon dioxide levels increase. The first definite desire to breathe is triggered by the rising levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, not by the lack of oxygen.

How It Works:

            1. Breath Holding:

• After a gentle inhale and exhale, you hold your breath, which causes carbon dioxide levels to rise in your bloodstream.

            2. CO2 Sensitivity:

• The rising CO2 levels stimulate the respiratory center in the brain, creating an urge to breathe. Your sensitivity to this increase in CO2 is what the CAR-DIO test is assessing.

            3. Desire to Breathe:

• The moment you feel the first definite desire to breathe is when you stop the test and measure the time. This is not a test of your willpower or ability to hold your breath for extended periods but rather a measure of when your body naturally wants to resume breathing due to elevated CO2 levels.

Implications of the Test:

• Breathing Efficiency:
  • A higher CAR-DIO score implies better breathing efficiency, indicating that your body has a higher tolerance to increased levels of CO2 and can maintain optimal oxygen delivery to the tissues even at lower breathing volumes.
• Health and Performance:
  • Improving your CAR-DIO score through targeted breathing exercises can enhance physical performance, mental clarity, sleep quality, and overall health and well-being.
• Breathe for Wellness Program:
  • The CAR-DIO test is integral to the Breathe for Wellness Functional Breathing Foundation. It guides individuals on their journey to optimized breathing, helping them set realistic goals and monitor progress.

The CAR-DIO test is a nuanced approach to understanding one’s breathing patterns and efficiency. It provides insight into how well one’s body responds to increased carbon dioxide levels, offering a pathway to improved respiratory health, enhanced physical endurance, and overall well-being through the Breathe for Wellness program.

The Breathe for Wellness Functional Breathing Foundation encourages the regular practice of the CAR-DIO test to ensure optimal breathing, health, and performance. By diligently following the program and performing the CAR-DIO test with attention to the first definite desire to breathe, individuals can experience substantial improvements in their overall well-being.