Hi,
I feel having more and more oxygen debt as doing more and more flip turn when swimming continuously. There must be something wrong with my technique, like badly timing the last breath before turn and staying too deep and long off the wall. How can you cope with this lack of air problem?
Thanks and regards!
Parents
Former Member
I have the impression that if I don't keep this in mind, more often than not, my head is pointing slightly to the bottom of the pool and I will go off a little deep underwater and delay my breaking out. I understand now.
On the topic of bilateral breathing pros/cons, I like Ernest Maglischo's take on this. Here are few extracts of his most recent book:
Alternate breathing has been used by many world-class swimmers, *particulary females*. Its use is controversial, however, having both strong proponents and opponents among elite coaches and swimmers....... The most compelling argument against alternate breathing is that oxygen supply will be reduced. This may cause swimmers to fatigue earlier in races. This is obviously a very serious disadvantage that, potentially, could outweigh all of the advantages listed earlier, and for this reason I do not recommend that swimmers use alternate breathing in races.
His position is reallly driven by priorities. Stroke mechanics is very important, but not as much as making sure we get sufficient supply of fuel (o2).
Again, I do not want to try to convince you to change your breathing patterns. I just wanted you to know that this is a controversial topic. Logically the very first place where you will experiment unbearable o2 deficits is after each turn. If breathing strategy is inadequate, then this is where this strategy will hurt the most (after each turn).
I have the impression that if I don't keep this in mind, more often than not, my head is pointing slightly to the bottom of the pool and I will go off a little deep underwater and delay my breaking out. I understand now.
On the topic of bilateral breathing pros/cons, I like Ernest Maglischo's take on this. Here are few extracts of his most recent book:
Alternate breathing has been used by many world-class swimmers, *particulary females*. Its use is controversial, however, having both strong proponents and opponents among elite coaches and swimmers....... The most compelling argument against alternate breathing is that oxygen supply will be reduced. This may cause swimmers to fatigue earlier in races. This is obviously a very serious disadvantage that, potentially, could outweigh all of the advantages listed earlier, and for this reason I do not recommend that swimmers use alternate breathing in races.
His position is reallly driven by priorities. Stroke mechanics is very important, but not as much as making sure we get sufficient supply of fuel (o2).
Again, I do not want to try to convince you to change your breathing patterns. I just wanted you to know that this is a controversial topic. Logically the very first place where you will experiment unbearable o2 deficits is after each turn. If breathing strategy is inadequate, then this is where this strategy will hurt the most (after each turn).
