Have you ever held your breath and attempted to dive to the bottom of a swimming pool? Some people can do this with ease, while others start to struggle for air within seconds. Or maybe you’ve watched a singer hold a note for an unusually long time. How can they manage to do that?

Your ability to hold your breath is influenced by a number of factors, ranging from physical training to genetics. If you're wondering whether genetics play a role in your breath-holding skills, the results from an AncestryDNA^® + Traits test can provide key insights.

Benefits of Breath Training

Your skills at controlling your breath and your overall lung capacity impact several aspects of life. For example, in sport, you may be more adept at diving or swimming if you’re able to hold your breath for longer periods of time. An increased lung capacity or particular breathing techniques might also assist with activities such as singing or playing an instrument.

The average person can hold their breath for between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. But with breath training that number could increase as you improve your lung capacity and overall lung efficiency. As with any exercise, it’s important to learn how to perform the techniques correctly to avoid unintentional negative side effects. Types of breathwork methods include:

• Deep abdominal breathing
• Pursed lips breathing
• Alternate nostril breathing

Research shows that particular exercises like deep breathing can also reduce stress and boost your ability to focus.

The Genetic Influence on Holding Breath

There are many factors that influence a person's ability to hold their breath such as their lung volume, spleen size, metabolic rate, and physical training. Breath holding is also polygenic, meaning it is influenced by many genes, although only a few specific ones have been explored so far.

Considering the polygenic aspect of breath holding, AncestryDNA^® scientists decided to take a closer look at the overall genetics involved in this complex trait. Based on a survey of over 238,000 people who answered the question “How would you rate your ability to hold your breath for long periods of time,” AncestryDNA^® scientists identified more than 450 associated DNA markers.

Taking all of these markers into consideration, Ancestry scientists calculated a polygenic risk score. This score is used to predict an individual’s genetic propensity for longer breath holding. Notably, the AncestryDNA team determined that the connection between genes and breath holding is less significant than environmental factors. Only about 5% of the variation between people in their perceived breath-holding capacity can be explained by differences in their genetics.

What Else Does Science Say About the Ability to Hold Breath?

Among the several genes connected to breath holding that scientists have examined closely is PDE10A. Scientists have looked at the version of the PDE10A gene commonly found in Bajau people, a marine-foraging population in Southeast Asia. They’ve discovered that this version of the gene is linked to higher levels of thyroid hormones that increase spleen size. Because of the previously discovered association between larger spleens and improved oxygenation, researchers believe this gene is one of the many that can influence breath holding.

In addition to possible genetic indicators, environmental factors can influence your ability to hold your breath. For example, the altitude at which you live or work also affects how long you can hold your breath. A study based in India conducted a test to determine the length of time people of similar fitness levels could hold their breath at 10,000- versus 15,000-foot altitudes. While 61.4% of those in the 10,000-foot group could hold their breath for longer than 25 seconds, just 3.8% of those at 15,000 feet could do the same.

Interesting Facts About Holding Your Breath

Some occupational practices require increased breath-holding capacity. For example, Japanese pearl divers, known as "ama," have free dived to depths of up to 82 feet while holding their breath.

However, that's not the longest a human being has ever held their breath. The Guinness world record holder for breath-holding is Budimir Šobat of Croatia, for his impressive 24 minutes and 37.36 seconds underwater. It took him three years of training six days per week to achieve this feat.

In the world of music, saxophonist Geovanny Escalante was able to play continuously for 90 minutes—without taking a noticeable breath—a world record. How did he accomplish this feat? Circular breathing. This form of breath control is used by musicians such as wind instrument players and singers. This practice, which involves transitioning back and forth between normal breathing support and using the air in the cheeks, allows singers to hold their notes for longer periods of time, and musicians to play in an uninterrupted manner.

Ready to see whether your genes may be helping you to hold your breath? An AncestryDNA^® + Traits test will reveal this and more about a wide range of traits. If you've already taken a test, your results are ready to review with an Ancestry^® membership.

 

References

"Breathing Exercises.” American Lung Association. Accessed June 27, 2024. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/wellness/breathing-exercises.

Ilardo, Melissa, et al. "An Erythropoietin-Independent Mechanism of Erythrocytic Precursor Proliferation Underlies Hypoxia Tolerance in Sea Nomads.” Frontiers in Physiology. January 27, 2022. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.760851.

Jewell, Tim. "How to Train to Hold Your Breath Longer Safely.” Healthline. October 18, 2023. https://www.healthline.com/health/holding-your-breath.

Lafitte, Barbara. "The Woodshed: The Logistics of Circular Breathing.” Berklee College of Music. July 1, 2014. https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-today/winter-2012/the-woodshed/circular-breathing.

"Longest time breath held voluntarily underwater (male).” Guinness World Records. Accessed June 27, 2024. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/longest-time-breath-held-voluntarily-(male).

Manske, Madison. What Circular Breathing Is and How to Master the Technique. Healthline. October 4, 2019. https://www.healthline.com/health/circular-breathing.

Singh, Gunjan, et al. "Observational study to compare the effect of altitude on cardiopulmonary reserves of different individuals staying more than 6 weeks at 10,000 ft and 15,000 ft.” Medical Journal Armed Forces India. August 20, 2021. doi:10.1016/j.mjafi.2021.07.002.

Sugawara, Jun, et al. "Aortic Reservoir Function of Japanese Female Pearl Divers.” Journal of Applied Physiology: Respiratory, Environmental and Exercise Physiology. August 2018. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326791528_Aortic_Reservoir_Function_of_Japanese_Female_Pearl_Divers.

Tavoian, Dallin, and Daniel H. Craighead. "Deep breathing exercise at work: Potential applications and impact.” Frontiers in Physiology. January 12, 2023. doi:10.3389/fphys.2023.1040091.

"What Is Breathwork?” WebMD. Accessed June 27, 2024. https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-breathwork.