Question

Why do you breathe harder after climbing stairs?
YOUR OPINION!

Answer 1

your muscles are working harder in order to lift you, due to that they produce more carbon dioxide. In order to prevent blood becoming more acidic from CO2 accumulation you need to breathe more often

Answer 2

I think it's got to deal with muscles, but not that they'r releasing too much CO2, but that they need more oxygen to work... My opinion anyways

Answer 3

It's both. Your cells will need more energy which requires oxygen to produce, and your body needs to get rid of the accumulating CO2 faster.

Answer 4

This is more of a Health Science question, next time ask there. Also, when you walk upstairs you're exerting more energy. Which cause your heart to pump more. To pump more you need more oxygen. More oxygen means heavier breathing.

Answer 5

@FabiodaSilva @wolfe8 while yes it needs both, our body however is much more efficient at oxygen capture (so much it actually needs to reduce oxygen partial pressure before reaching cells - otherwise its too toxic)
Not to mention that our muscles are capable of anaerobic work.

As such it is actually more important for body to get rid of CO2 than to obtain more O2. Increased acidity of blood due to H2CO3 accumulation in water is no joke.

Answer 6

"As such it is actually more important for body to get rid of CO2 than to obtain more O2."

very very true