Book 10, Question 36
Why Does Exercise Make You Breathe Harder?
Exercise makes you breathe harder because your working muscles need more oxygen and make more carbon dioxide! Sensors tell your brain to speed up and deepen your breathing. That brings in more oxygen and clears out more waste.
More fun facts
- Exercise means your muscles need more oxygen and make more carbon dioxide.
- You take more breaths per minute, and each breath gets bigger.
- The harder you exercise, the faster and deeper you breathe.
- You can also control your breathing on purpose, slowing it down or taking deeper breaths.
- Even during hard exercise, your body's automatic breathing system usually supplies plenty of oxygen.
Sources: BBC, BBC, BBC, Scientific American
Questions kids ask
Why does breathing slow down after exercise?
Your muscles need less oxygen, so your body no longer needs to breathe as fast.