We were goofing around after practice the other day and decided to see who could swim the farthest underwater. We both went well over 50 meters (the underwater turn was a killer). I opted for dolphin kicking a ways and then switched to the underwater breastroke. I’m not sure which technique is better for distance as opposed to speed. Anyone out there ever make a full 100m underwater? Oh yeah, this can be dangerous because a lot of people pass out. So if you make an attempt, be sure someone is on deck watching you. Perhaps some of you dorks could even put on your competitions suits and monofins and see if it improves your performance. You guys kill me with all your equipment.
Men typically have a larger lung capacity and a slower resting heart rate than women. The lower resting heart rate doesn't matter so much when you're holding your breath in the pool, but the cause of it probably affects it a bit. Men--in general--have larger hearts than women, and so they have to beat less to pump the same amount of blood. The faster your heart pumps, the faster your oxygen is depleted. I'm not a doctor, but I'd say that probably helps explain it.
Of course, any one woman could have an advantage over any one man. It isn't an across the board thing, since I may have a smaller lung capacity than some women and vice versa.
Men typically have a larger lung capacity and a slower resting heart rate than women. The lower resting heart rate doesn't matter so much when you're holding your breath in the pool, but the cause of it probably affects it a bit. Men--in general--have larger hearts than women, and so they have to beat less to pump the same amount of blood. The faster your heart pumps, the faster your oxygen is depleted. I'm not a doctor, but I'd say that probably helps explain it.
Of course, any one woman could have an advantage over any one man. It isn't an across the board thing, since I may have a smaller lung capacity than some women and vice versa.
