When I googled 'freestyle "breathing pattern"' today, I came across this story:
www.paloaltoonline.com/.../2000_Jun_28.SWIMMING.html
The story is inspiring. It talks about how Dara Torres, at the age of 33, set an American record in the women's 50 meter freestyle in the summer of 2000.
Beside her "old age", an interesting aspect of the story was that she changed her usual breathing pattern for the race. Instead of taking just two or three breaths the entire race, she breathed every three strokes to prevent oxygen debt at the end, because she has asthma.
This is the first time that I have ever heard of someone breaking a record or getting a really fast time by breathing frequently in a 50 meter freestyle race.
A couple of nights ago, I watched Canada's Brett Hayden win a silver medal in the 50 free at the commonwealth games. I'm not sure how many breaths he took, but he did say in the interview afterwards that he did not take any breaths in the last 20 meters. So I think he probably took 2 or 3 breaths.
This got me to wondering, "what is the ideal number of breaths to take in a 50 meter freestyle race?" I have heard that most people take 2 or 3 breaths. I usually take 3. What about you guys? Also, what is your breathing pattern for the 100 meter free?
Former Member
In a perfect world with a perfect body I'd take 2 breaths.One at the start and one at the end.Since I'm now a masters swimmer I find now I do need to breath more.In short course I'd recommend at least taking a breath 2 strokes before the turn because the gain of oxygen will improve your ability to come off the wall which will be a greater gain than the loss of speed from taking the breaths.On the way back take the further breaths earlier rather than later.There is no point taking a breath when it's too late for maximum gain.Breath on your favorite side only.This will be more relaxed and in rythm.
In long course again I take the breaths earlier rather than later.I had been having trouble getting my 50 Freestyle time down for some time (Ido prefer 200 Back) but have managed to make a breakthrough by breathing more often and earlier.Perhaps it's more about how fit I really am or aren't.
It was once thought that running the 400m sprint (which takes an elite runner 45 seconds) was 95 percent anaeobic and 5% aerobic. It has been shown more recently to take more than 20%. For even shorter performances, like the 200 meter (elite = 20 sec.), the aerobic energy system is resposible for at least 10-20%.
Not in a million years does a runner run the 200m without considerable breathing. Why then would someone swim for 20-30 seconds with only a few breaths?
Maybe the elite swimmers take no breaths because the slight breakdown in form is more costly? More so than in running.
I submit that masters should experiment in practice. I don't think there is a clear answer. Don't just do what the elite guys do, you may be able to improve through experimentation.
For most people, the 50 is too short for the oxygen that one breathes to actually get into the body from the lungs. I think that is amazing and very good motivation to think about to force yourself not to breath. You are wasting tiem taking in that oxygen!
Originally posted by craiglll@yahoo.com
For most people, the 50 is too short for the oxygen that one breathes to actually get into the body from the lungs. I think that is amazing and very good motivation to think about to force yourself not to breath.
Just because you don't need a breathe, doesn't mean that you won't tense up fighting the urge to breathe.
Originally posted by mattson
... breathe as little as possible, without the breathing instinct causing you to twitch spastically.
I am a sprinter but can't get the breathing down in a race. I end taking like 3-4 breaths there & even more coming back. I don't know how to change this & have it work to my advantage. On the 100 I just go every 3. It just seems I can't hold my breath as long.
I do not have a problem to hold my breath in a competition, for a 100 a may breath just a couple times every 50 meters, I usually do not participate in events longer than 200 meter...... but when we do a 3, 5, 7 breathing pattern during a workout I always got a headache that last all day. :(
In a 50 SCY I will generally take 4 breaths...two down and two back. Depending upon my physical state I have found myself surviving with two down and one back. In the 100 I revert to whatever my body feels it needs.
