Static and then straight after a dynamic.

[marioslaz]

Hello everyone,

today my training involved doing 1 minute static breath holds and then straight after as I'm in the water a 25m dynamic swim. On my second attempt, I did not feel the urge to stop and so I turned and managed to do 50m dynamic on top of the 1 min static. After a proper breath up I attempted to do more than 50m or dynamic (without static beforehand) and I couldn't go further than 50m. I find it very strange. Is it because I relax more when I do a static or maybe there's a psychological barrier of touching the wall and turning?

Thank you

 

[J Campbell]

I do a similar dive in my pool - breath hold followed by underwater swim and get the same result as you. I think by doing the static first that you are not using much oxygen and your body has time to go into a strong dive reflex - then when you actually start swimming your oxygen is already being conserved, shunted from your limbs, and your heart rate lower. Whereas if you just start swimming right away you are wasting oxygen with a higher heart rate and using up more in your extremities. I find I do a better and more relaxed dive if I start with a short motionless relaxation period before moving into the dive.