Acute effect of breathing exercises on muscle tension and executive function under psychological stress

This study evaluated how different 5-minute interventions—mindful breathing, slow breathing, fast breathing, and listening to music—affected muscle tension and executive function during psychological stress in 48 adults. Slow breathing significantly improved men's executive function (accuracy and reaction time) in the Stroop Test, likely due to better oxygenation and reduced respiratory rate. However, neither breathing exercises nor music influenced muscle tension significantly. Women showed no marked changes in cognitive function across interventions, highlighting physiological differences. These findings suggest slow breathing could enhance cognitive resilience under stress for men but may not suit everyone equally.

Incorporating 5 minutes of slow breathing into daily routines may boost cognitive performance and stress resilience, especially for men. This practice helps regulate breathing rate, oxygen levels, and autonomic balance. However, its limited impact on women and lack of muscle relaxation benefits caution against overgeneralization. Slow breathing can complement other stress-management strategies tailored to individual needs and preferences.