Breath-hold assessment can provide useful clinical information about respiratory control, chemosensitivity, breathing-pattern regulation, symptom responses and a person’s relationship with air hunger.
Used thoughtfully, it complements a broader assessment of breathing mechanics, respiratory symptoms, autonomic regulation and functional capacity, that assesses all three dimensions of dysfunctional breathing, as developed by Rosalba in her Integrative Breathing Therapy model.
In this recorded webinar, Rosalba Courtney explains how to use breath-hold assessment safely, systematically, and clinically—while avoiding the common mistake of treating a single breath-hold time as a standalone measure of health or fitness.
Here is a short excerpt from the webinar, where Rosalba discusses the correlation between CO2 and breath-hold time..
This webinar is designed for health professionals who work with breathing, rehabilitation, performance, stress-related symptoms, persistent symptoms and dysfunctional breathing patterns.
What you will learn
In this webinar, you will learn how to:
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Understand the physiological basis of breath holding, including carbon dioxide tolerance, respiratory drive, autonomic responses and subjective air hunger
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Distinguish between different types of breath-hold assessment and understand what each may—and may not—indicate
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Conduct a comfortable, reproducible breath-hold assessment within a broader clinical framework
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Identify common testing errors and avoid overinterpreting breath-hold duration
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Recognise contraindications, precautions, and situations in which breath-hold testing may not be appropriate
Why breath-hold assessment matters
A breath-hold test is often presented as a simple measure of “CO₂ tolerance.” In reality, breath-hold performance is influenced by multiple interacting factors: respiratory chemistry, chemoreceptor sensitivity, lung volume, habitual breathing pattern, autonomic state, attention, expectations, emotional responses and learned tolerance of respiratory sensations.
For this reason, a clinically useful assessment goes beyond recording a number of seconds. It considers:
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How the test is performed
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When discomfort begins
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The quality and location of symptoms
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The person’s behavioural response to air hunger
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Breathing and recovery after the test
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The relevance of the findings to their presenting condition and goals
Who this webinar is for
This recorded webinar is suitable for:
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Physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, and other manual therapists
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Speech pathologists and voice practitioners
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Psychologists and clinicians working with anxiety, stress, panic, or somatic symptoms
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Exercise physiologists and rehabilitation professionals
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Respiratory and cardiac rehabilitation clinicians
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Yoga therapists, breathwork practitioners, and movement professionals with appropriate clinical scope
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Health professionals who assess or treat dysfunctional breathing, persistent symptoms, pain, fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance
The Webinar
Whether you’re a healthcare professional, athlete, or simply curious about the science of breathing, this lecture will provide you with:
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Cutting-edge insights into the mechanisms behind breath holding
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Practical assessment techniques used in Integrative Breathing Therapy
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Understanding of how breath holding relates to respiratory control and dysfunction
Explore the depths of respiratory science and unlock the potential of your breath!
Accompanying is the webinar recording, and pdf of the webinar slide.
Important note
Breath-hold assessment should not be used as a diagnostic test in isolation, nor should it replace appropriate medical assessment. Interpretation should always take account of the individual’s medical history, symptoms, respiratory and cardiovascular status and clinical presentation.