What does costal breathing primarily involve?

Costal breathing, also known as chest breathing, primarily involves the use of accessory muscles, including the sternocleidomastoid, to facilitate the inhalation process. In this type of breathing, the focus is on expanding the rib cage rather than using the diaphragm as the primary muscle for respiration. The accessory muscles help lift the sternum and ribs, allowing the chest to expand outward and upward, which increases the volume of the thoracic cavity and facilitates air intake.

This type of breathing is often observed during times of exertion, stress, or when efficiency is needed for quick breaths. Unlike diaphragmatic breathing, which relies heavily on the contraction and relaxation of the diaphragm along with movement in the abdomen, costal breathing highlights the role of the upper chest and neck muscles in the respiratory process. Consequently, it typically results in more pronounced chest movement compared to abdominal movement.