Last weekend we had the pleasure of joining the Juventus Warsaw Academy training camp in Złoty Potok, a village in southern Poland known for its scenic surroundings. It was a special setting where young footballers not only sharpened their technical and tactical skills, but also discovered the essential role of diaphragmatic breathing in football.
Breathing Capacity Testing and Assessment — Where We Start
The first stage of our work was running tests and assessments with the players. Among other things, we measured their BOLT Score (Body Oxygen Level Test) — a simple yet highly effective indicator of breathing efficiency. It serves as the starting point for breath training, showing how well an athlete is adapted to physical effort. Based on the results, we identify who needs more support in building respiratory capacity and who can move straight into more advanced exercises.
Breath Training Sessions — Nasal Breathing, CO₂ Tolerance, Diaphragm Activation
Next came the workshops, where players learned the fundamentals of breath work:
- Nasal breathing, which improves oxygen utilization
- Techniques for increasing CO₂ tolerance
- Diaphragm activation and core stabilization exercises
Simple as they are, these techniques translate directly into endurance, recovery, and on-pitch focus.
On-Pitch Practice — Breathing in Action
In sport, the key is turning theory into practice. That’s why the final part of our session took place on the pitch. During drills and small-sided games, the players experienced firsthand how conscious breathing helps regulate pace, maintain focus, and speed up recovery between sprints.
For many of them this was an entirely new approach — but the benefits were felt immediately:
- a calmer resting heart rate
- less shortness of breath
- greater body control
Why Does Breath Training Matter in Football?
Current research and our work with professional clubs, including Lech Poznań, confirm one thing: proper breath training increases tolerance to effort, improves recovery, and reduces injury risk. Like strength training or athletic conditioning, it is becoming an indispensable element of modern football preparation.
In Złoty Potok we took another step toward conscious football. We are glad that Juventus Warsaw Academy has joined the growing group of clubs developing their players not only technically, but also physiologically and mentally.
Want to bring breath training into your club or academy? Get in touch with us →