On freestyle, I generally try to breathe bi-laterally every 3 strokes, and begin my exhale as soon as my head enters the water.
However, sometimes when I am doing sprints or laps with little rest in between, I find myself holding my breath instead of beginning the exhale immediately. When I do this it feels that my body is able to get more oxygen.
Its seems like my body is craving oxygen, and beginning the exhale immediately gets rid of some of that precious oxygen before I have a chance to process it.
Of course, I realize that delaying the start of my exhale means that I will get able to get more fresh air on the next inhalation, unless I can manage to get rid of all my air very quickly (which seems impossible).
So is it best to just force myself to keep the same breathing pattern (every 3 strokes with exhale starting immediately), even when I am feeling tired or out of oxygen? Or are there times when it is safe, or even better, to hold my breath for at least a second before beginning the exhalation? Maybe at the end of a race (or timed lap)?
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Former Member
Is have you ride high in the water always an advantage? I remember reading somewhere that one of the advantages of exhaling completely is that promotes better balance between the legs and the torso.
It depends on your body, the lungs are located forward of your center of mass (in a horizontal swimming position) so full lungs will tend to buoy up the front and sink the back. It does raise your body as a whole somewhat. In butterfly the extra buoyancy may help you bob your upper body back upwards after the hand entry.
Is have you ride high in the water always an advantage? I remember reading somewhere that one of the advantages of exhaling completely is that promotes better balance between the legs and the torso.
It depends on your body, the lungs are located forward of your center of mass (in a horizontal swimming position) so full lungs will tend to buoy up the front and sink the back. It does raise your body as a whole somewhat. In butterfly the extra buoyancy may help you bob your upper body back upwards after the hand entry.
