How to take a correct breath when swimming

Maintaining correct breathing while swimming with lifeguard training is one of the keys to improving performance and preventing that uncomfortable feeling of fatigue in the water. Although at first it is a bit tedious to have a good coordination when breathing, it is possible to master it with practice.

The problem is that not all athletes dedicate time to breathing techniques and overlook those errors that accelerate fatigue. Also, some get used to holding the air for long stretches, ignoring the fact that such an action is not beneficial due to the lack of oxygen it causes.

Tips to maintain proper breathing when swimming

When practicing swimming, it is important to have the lungs well prepared. The technique to carry a correct breath when swimming can vary depending on the type of swimming.

In general, the objective of mastering it is to optimize the performance of the exercises, since a smooth and relaxed breathing saves valuable energy.

Bilateral crawl breathing

According to a study published by the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences , in short races (50 meters) swimmers should breathe as little as possible to enhance their swimming speed. Meanwhile, in races of 100 meters or more, their alternation can occur every three or five strokes.

The benefits of the bilateral breathing technique include:

• Reduces tension on the shoulder area.
• Improves balance and body alignment.
• Contributes to greater energy savings .
• Improves location ability and helps control vision on both sides.

Front breath for butterfly style

In the butterfly stroke, it is easier to breathe. To do it correctly, the swimmer must breathe forward, keeping the head as high as possible. That is to say, it takes in air when removing its head and expels it when it is reintroduced into the water .

One of the variants that is currently being used is to breathe every two arm cycles. This is called “breath rate 2 and 1” and is used for best performance .

Backstroke Breathing

Many feel comfortable swimming lifeguards training the backstroke, since breathing is much easier than in the other modalities. However, it is not advisable to be overconfident, as the swimmer may lose control of the posture and swallow water .

So that there is no inconvenience, it is essential to watch the rhythms and coordination, trying to breathe in before the arm crosses the vertical of the head . A common mistake is to take in and out air continuously, without considering the movement of the body when swimming.

Reverse breathing

In swimming, breathing is done in reverse. This means that the air is taken in through the mouth and expelled through the nose. This advice is essential to have a correct breathing when swimming, since it helps to be more efficient.

The expulsion of the air through the nose allows a more controlled breathing, since all the oxygen is not released at once. Therefore, it remains longer in the lungs and prevents that feeling of suffocation.

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