Aerobic Vs Anerobic

[TRITON]

In the "Stephane Mifsud announces World record" thread , Eric F. mentioned that aerobic training actually lowers apnea abilities.
I recall that on Martin Stepanek's old website said that he has a Vo2max of 74 ml/kg/min which is to my knowledge pretty high. That level of aerobic fitness has to be a result of intense aerobic preparation.
So If the theory that aerobic training is not good for apnea is right ,than how does Martin have such outstanding freediving results?

 

[Mullins]

The negative effects only seem to last for a little while. If you're prepared to accept short-term loss of performance, it provides a decent base to start more specific training from. For instance if you're planning to do very intensive anaerobic training, it would be a very good idea to get something of an aerobic base first, otherwise you're likely to have a heck of a time recovering between sessions.

 

[sayNO2o2]

the way i deal with this is i train in cycles. i am in the middle of a strength and conditioning program. in this program i am not focused on apnea at all. i have never been a very fit guy so i am using this time to train that side.
in the next two weeks i will change back to doing a co2 tolerance program and start ramping up my apnea. and next month i will do no weights or running and only work on apnea.

 

[Chrillepille]

It might also be that training apnea gives you a higher vo2max.

 

[efattah]

The negative effects only seem to last for a little while. If you're prepared to accept short-term loss of performance, it provides a decent base to start more specific training from. For instance if you're planning to do very intensive anaerobic training, it would be a very good idea to get something of an aerobic base first, otherwise you're likely to have a heck of a time recovering between sessions.

I agree exactly, and this is what many freedivers do, start the season with some aerobic stuff, then move to anaerobic stuff as the season progresses.

 

[efattah]

It might also be that training apnea gives you a higher vo2max.

In most cases, apnea training will lower your VO2 max. In my case, despite diving far better than in 2001, I am completely unable to match my aerobic performance numbers from 2001. Not even close...

 

[TRITON]

You are 8 years older than in 2001....

 

[Chrillepille]

It was just a thought, that there might be other ways of increasing your vO2max than aerobic training. And since holding your breath increases your EPO levels it might also have some effect on your vO2max. But vO2max are influenced by alot of things which possibly will not be trained when holding your breath.

 

[efattah]

You are 8 years older than in 2001....

Then I guess I should be a much worse diver as well....

 

[polishpower]

You always gonna be better in that you train the most in!
Your VO2 max is going down with the age and the only way to maintain that is by training hard.

I don't think if you train hard your diving times go down because of a higher established VO2 max. The time goes down because the running or whatever aerobic training takes much energy from your body and that shows in the breathholds.

But their maybe is a medical studie thats proves me wrong? Show me that then.

My final word: Don't stop with aerobic training because it is one of the best investment you can do for your body.

 

[Kars]

Being a slender tall person, I also have a high 'standard' VO2 max. What really gives my freediving a big boost (more muscle mass, blood and quicker transmission to anaerobic) is only to do strength, flexibility and apnea training, and only once a week some aerobic. BTW to get around here my mode of transportation is a bicycle, and it's hard to cycle slow. I even remember going to the pool with monofin on the back shadowing a group of 'racing-cyclists' on my one gear citybike, I even rang my bike bell on my old fashion bike and jokingly asked; "guys can you please go a bit faster?" LOL

 

[hteas]

Awesome Kars,
I ride to work daily (year -round) and cannot go slow.
But then, I'm looking for general training, and am not in line for a world record. I just want to maximize my time in the water.
Howard

 

[fcallagy]

Awesome Kars,
I ride to work daily (year -round) and cannot go slow.
But then, I'm looking for general training, and am not in line for a world record. I just want to maximize my time in the water.
Howard

I think this is what mere mortal divers get caught up in. For a very average diver like me I think just keep fit and train freediving. If your one of the best in the world and one more metre or second makes the difference then yeah analyse what works for you best and break it down etc I know it may be interesting to know whats going on but a small improvement in technique or relaxation may make for far better dives.

 

[azapa]

i am another hard-core pump-to-work on the bike fan. About 15 to 20 mins each way, but I am addicted. I hardly every have leg-burn on longer dives, and I'm sure this is why. (Not that my dives are very long..)

 

[bite ya]

I've just stopped doing cardio, i used to bike ride a few times a week, not for travelling to work but purely for training purposes. I have now started weights again to improve on core strength. Mainly due to losing so much weight since i gave up this sport and nearly another stone whilst in Dahab. My times have gone down but i feel better and more comfortable during the holds (static) and much stronger in dynamic sessions. I'd say i'm swimming twice the amount in an hour dynamic session than i was previously without "wobbly legs".

I will return to cardio as i think both are as important as each other, again and as we all know, what works for one may not work for all.