Run, beep, breathe: Exploring the effects on adherence and user experience of 5 breathing instruction sounds while running

Abstract

Running is a popular sport, especially during the recent pandemic. Breathing techniques can positively impact running, for example to prevent side-stitches or increase lung capacity. Sound instruction is a promising method to administer breathing techniques during running, as it is an established, low-friction method utilized in other contexts such as cycling and meditation. This paper describes an initial study (N=11) exploring the effects of five distinct breathing instruction sounds while running. Sounds were designed with varying information richness and tonality. The study focused on user adherence to the sound and subjective experience of running with the sound. Results show that all sounds were effective in stabilizing the breathing rate. Two-tone sounds were subjectively easier to follow; however, metronome sounds might be preferred for longer studies due to their simplicity and lower invasiveness.