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We don't all breathe the same way: why individualization changes training

Why talk about respiratory individualization?


Two cyclists can have:

  • the same FTP ,

  • the same maximum heart rate ,

  • the same speed uphill ,

…and yet have completely different physiological profiles .


The reason?

👉 We each have our own unique physiology. And this difference directly influences:

  • the use of energy sectors,

  • the placement of thresholds,

  • effort management,

  • the ability to sustain an intensity,

  • overall performance.


Respiratory analysis helps to understand how your body really reacts , and why “generic” training plans don’t work for everyone.


1. Why does physiology vary from person to person?


Your physiology depends on very individual factors:

🔹 Anatomy & Respiratory Mechanics

  • lung size

  • Thoracic mobility

  • respiratory musculature


🔹 Metabolism

  • ability to utilize lipids

  • carbohydrate addiction

  • acidosis tolerance

  • energy efficiency


🔹 Training

  • endurance volume

  • preferred intensities

  • chronic fatigue or freshness


🔹 Stress & the nervous system

  • friendly activation

  • accelerated breathing at rest

  • sensitivity to CO₂


👉 Result: your metabolic transitions (VT1 & VT2) are unique .



2. Ventilatory thresholds: the heart of your individuality


As the intensity increases, your breathing changes in a non-linear way. Two key points emerge:


🔹 VT1: the first respiratory rupture

→ Lipids → Carbohydrates Transition

→ Marks the limit of basic endurance


🔹 VT2: the second respiratory rupture

→ Aerobic → anaerobic transition

→ Marks the metabolic tolerance threshold


These thresholds vary enormously between individuals:

Cyclist

VT1

VT2

Lipid capacity

A (enduring)

150 W

250 W

Very high

B (punchy)

190 W

290 W

Weak

C (beginner)

110 W

180 W

Variable


3. Why don't two athletes with the same FTP have the same zones?


Because :

  • One can remain in lipids for a very long time,

  • The other quickly switches to carbohydrates.

  • One of them manages acidosis well.

  • The other one hyperventilates as soon as the intensity increases.

FTP ≠ ventilatory threshold

FTP ≠ energy sectors

FTP ≠ what your body actually burns

👉 FTP measures performance , not physiology .


4. Why does individualized breathing change everything in training?


✔ 1. Avoid poorly calibrated areas

Areas based on FC or FTP can be 20–30% error.


✔ 2. We target the right energy sector

Lipid endurance, carbohydrate tempo, acidosis work.


✔ 3. We adapt the pacing to the actual thresholds

Uphill, in time trials, in triathlons.


✔ 4. Respiratory deviations are detected

Fatigue, stress, overtraining → immediately visible.


✔ 5. We monitor progress objectively

VT1 and VT2 change with training, but not the maximum heart rate.


👉 Individualization transforms the way we train from generic → specific → optimal .



5. How ZoneX identifies your unique respiratory profile


ZoneX measures directly:

  • your ventilation ,

  • your CO₂ production ,

  • your respiratory failures ,

  • the evolution of your energy sectors.


Thanks to a dedicated algorithm, ZoneX automatically detects:

  • your personal VT1 ,

  • your personal VT2 ,

  • your physiological zones ,

  • your metabolic strengths and weaknesses .


👉 You no longer use someone else's areas: you have your own.



Conclusion: your breathing is your physiological signature


We don't all breathe the same way. And that's good news.

Your breathing reveals:

  • your economy,

  • your energy sectors,

  • your thresholds,

  • your tolerance for exertion,

  • your potential for improvement.


👉 Individualization based on respiratory analysis is the fairest, most effective and most personalized way to train.


👉 With ZoneX, this personalization finally becomes accessible on a daily basis.



 
 
 

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