Jaw Spasm during Static

[Gary.Lowe]

Hi All

I have a problem during statics where my jaw starts to spasm from around the 4 minute mark. It's almost the same as your jaw chattering when you are cold.

Also happens during CO2 tables.

Obviously interferes with my relaxation an spend the rest of time trying to relax. It happens every time.

Just wondered if anyone else has had a similar thing or advice on how to control it?

Thanks

Gary

 

[Simos]

Hi Gary
Must be the high Co2 concentration. I don't get it in statics but I get something similar during an exercise we call 'lactic static' - basically you swim 50m fast on the surface and then you try to do a 30sec static as soon as you get to the end with no stop (or more if you can but it's better to swim faster so that 30sec are hard). During the 30 sec hold (we do the hold dry) I am really struggling to keep my jaw shut, it's kind of shaking and wanting to open so I have to forcefully close my lips to keep my mouth shut. Is this what is happening to you?

Sometimes I manage to relax through it but it's tough - must be due to high Co2. I don't get it in wet statics (yet).

Probably co2 tolerance training is the way to go - I sometimes use some gimmicks to trick my body and try and stop this: main one is that I bring air in my mouth and fill it, then inhale the air down again. I do this a few times and sometimes it helps. I think it tricks the body into thinking you are breathing. You could try swallowing too (obviously not air) and seeing if that helps at all.

Let me know how it goes, I'm interested too in this

Simos
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[Gary.Lowe]

Hi Simos

Thanks for the reply mate.

Sounds like it could be that. I have tried the breathing air into my mouth as someone else had mentioned this and it has worked to some extent.

I had some lab tests done on me last year and found I do have high levels of CO2 to begin with before statics as I make a very concious effort not hyperventilate.

The technician monitoring me did comment that my CO2 levels where quite high to begin with (around 5.2 KPa not that it really means anything to me I'm sure Trux would be able to offer some insight on whether this is true) compared to other freedivers he had tested in the past.

I have started doing CO2 tables to try and build more tolerance and see if that helps. I did notice my jaw went mental when I got down to the last 2 holds (3mins with 15 second rest). But it does sound exactly the same as you described trying to keep it closed.

 

[Simos]

Hi Gary - I think what you say makes sense and on reflection, maybe the reason I don't get the same during statics (apart from the fact that they are a wet hold unlike the exercise I mentioned) is probably because I hyperventilate mildly before statics (without intending to mainly).

I am a mostly a recreational freediver and relative beginner so I would take my words with a pinch of salt but my thought on this is the following: why don't you conciously try a few statics with different levels of hyperventilation (you don't need to do anything excessive that would cause you to BO etc).

Maybe try some mild hyperventilation and then do a hold to say 4:30 and see if you get the same feeling around the 4min mark. If you don't get it then it's a good sign it's due to high CO2 concentration.

The only other thing I can think of that might come into it is blood pressure but I doubt it. I don't think it's due to low O2 either as I get the same thing after a 20 second hold when I do the exercise I mentioned although it's a bit like an LMC of the jaw! lol

At the end of the day, forgetting about scientific explantions, I think your body really feels that it needs to breathe and must be a reflex that it tries to open your mouth for a breath and you are forcing your lips shut knowing that you don't want to breathe and get the funny jaw shaking...

I am sure someone more knowledgeable will be able to offer a better explanation than my crude one above lol

Let me know what happens if you do decide to try the hyperventilation holds..

 

[wjohnson100]

Not sure why it happens. My jaw gets tight at the end of a hold sometimes. It has not been a problem for me. I just notice it sometimes. I thought that changing head position somehow (maybe using floats) to raise it and stretch the neck muscles might help. Just a thought.