Final answer:
Diaphragmatic breathing stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, not the sympathetic nervous system, thus promoting relaxation and not increasing sympathetic activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Diaphragmatic breathing, also known as deep breathing or abdominal breathing, is a breathing technique that engages the diaphragm, a large muscle at the base of the lungs. The answer to the student's question is false; diaphragmatic breathing does not promote sympathetic nervous system activity, but rather stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a state of relaxation. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward which allows the lungs to expand and fill with air. This process encourages a slow and deep breathing pattern that can be consciously controlled, promoting the relaxation response of the body.
The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for preparing the body for 'fight or flight' responses in stress situations, and it inhibits functions like digestion to shunt blood towards muscles and other areas that may be needed for a rapid response. On the contrary, diaphragmatic breathing is more associated with the 'rest and digest' state facilitated by the parasympathetic nervous system. This is why, for instance, people are advised to take deep breaths to calm down in stressful situations.