Hypercapnic and CO2 Tolerance Training Methods, and Apparatus Therefor

A CO2 tolerance training method for optimizing cardiorespiratory fitness the comprising the steps of:

• providing a cardiorespiratory fitness optimizer apparatus, the cardiorespiratory fitness optimizer apparatus being configured to increase breathing resistance through an oral cavity of the user's mouth;
• holding the cardiorespiratory fitness optimizer apparatus at the user's mouth thereby increasing bidirectional breathing resistance through the oral cavity;
• inhaling through the cardiorespiratory fitness optimizer apparatus against resistance provided thereby in a first direction, the cardiorespiratory fitness optimizer apparatus thereby reducing oxygen intake through the oral cavity;
• exhaling through the cardiorespiratory fitness optimizer apparatus against resistance provided thereby in a second direction opposite the first direction, the cardiorespiratory fitness optimizer apparatus thereby reducing carbon dioxide exhaust through the oral cavity;
• and
• increasing carbon dioxide levels in a bloodstream of the user via the reduced oxygen intake and reduced carbon dioxide exhaust thereby optimizing cardiorespiratory fitness.

A cardiorespiratory fitness optimizer apparatus for supporting hypercapnic or CO2 tolerance training, the cardiorespiratory fitness optimizer apparatus comprising:

• a resistance module configured to be held externally relative to a user's oral cavity, the resistance module comprising a window portion and a wheel element rotatable relative to the window portion in parallel relation thereto;
• the window portion and the wheel element together providing an air-letting aperture, the wheel element being adjustable for increasing and decreasing a size of the air-letting aperture for increasing or decreasing breathing resistance therethrough;
• the air-letting aperture being arcuate in form and comprising a maximum arc length when adjusted to a least resistance setting and a minimum arc length when adjusted to a maximum resistance setting;
• the wheel element being rotatable about an axis of rotation thereby being adjustable for selectively increasing and decreasing airflow resistance through the air-letting aperture as the wheel element is variably aligned with the window portion during both an inhalation process and an exhalation process for supporting hypercapnic or CO2 tolerance training.