:argue:
I'm new and my first post caused some fighting! Good times! :)
Reading all the responses was perfect for me though. Thanks everybody.
But now I'm wondering why the fast guys swimming the 1500 seem to breath only on one side?
For me I want to do triathlons so I will be swimming longer distances. I've read and been told that bilateral breathing is the way to go. But if I watch Hackett he isn't doing that. At least I don't think so.
Parents
Former Member
95% of all swimmers breath to one side -- they are able to breath to both sides,but they don't do it in a race. Why ? Because you get 1/3 less oxygen. Many of the swimmers that do use the bilateral breathing have a pretty high turnover - so they probably get a little more air than somebody only taking 16 cycles per 50. Most of the Olympic finalists (I only looked at the men's races for that) in the 400 and 1500 were even breathing on the first stroke after the turn - they don't "pop up" after the turn, but they get air as quickly as possible. And of course they hold their breath until lifting their head :bump:
95% of all swimmers breath to one side -- they are able to breath to both sides,but they don't do it in a race. Why ? Because you get 1/3 less oxygen. Many of the swimmers that do use the bilateral breathing have a pretty high turnover - so they probably get a little more air than somebody only taking 16 cycles per 50. Most of the Olympic finalists (I only looked at the men's races for that) in the 400 and 1500 were even breathing on the first stroke after the turn - they don't "pop up" after the turn, but they get air as quickly as possible. And of course they hold their breath until lifting their head :bump:
