For dryland sports or work efforts, exhale on muscular exertion is the correct method. But for racing starts in swimming, I prefer to inhale during flight to get a big gulp of air before I hit the water.
Which is better, inhale or exahale when diving off the starting block?
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Former Member
This is a great question because it made me think about my own start and I can honestly say that I’m not real sure how my breathing works. I know that I’m very relaxed and breathing regularly until I’m told to “take my mark.” At this point, I might actually take my last breath until I’m in the pool. The actual start itself is extremely tense for me, like the effort on a maximum lift, and I don’t think I breathe at all once I’m airborne. However, I’m not sure because I might take some air in, but it’s definitely not a deep breath. I have no idea whether it’s beneficial to breathe or not.
This is a great question because it made me think about my own start and I can honestly say that I’m not real sure how my breathing works. I know that I’m very relaxed and breathing regularly until I’m told to “take my mark.” At this point, I might actually take my last breath until I’m in the pool. The actual start itself is extremely tense for me, like the effort on a maximum lift, and I don’t think I breathe at all once I’m airborne. However, I’m not sure because I might take some air in, but it’s definitely not a deep breath. I have no idea whether it’s beneficial to breathe or not.
