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How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it?
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 2009-08-17 7:47 AM |
Expert  1118   , North Carolina |  Subject: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it?I just been mainly working up my distance endurance, but I know I need to work on technique and do drills as well. I've not tried bilateral breathing yet (and don't really want to). I guess I should give it a go. How important is it? |
| 2009-08-17 7:58 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
Elite 7783    PEI, Canada | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? I think it's important to be able to do it, if only to give you the option of which side to breathe on. ie. in an open water swim and the sun is directly in your eyes on the right or waves coming from the right, it's nice to have the option of breathing left instead of right in those situations. I also think it's important to help balance out your stroke. Personally, in the pool I breathe on both sides 95% of the time but when I'm out in open water, I breathe to my right 95% of the time. Dunno why, probably because of the sighting that is involved. |
| 2009-08-17 8:03 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
| Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? There are a few really good reasons to do it, the sun is right on one side of you and it's blinding, waves are kinda breaking on one side of you, it would be a good thing if you had the choice of which side to breathe on. In open water it also straightens out your path so you're not swimming around the world to the left. (edit) Then again, I might want to read the post directly above mine and see if I can add something new rather than just reinforcing what's already been said  Edited by DanielG 2009-08-17 8:03 AM |
| 2009-08-17 8:04 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
Champion 6056 Menomonee Falls, WI | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? I dunno. I'm probably biased because I DON'T do it and, in the 30 tri's I've now done, I've never once thought, "Gosh, now I really regret never learning how to bilateral breathe." It's probably helpful in improving your form and useful in some situations (ocean swims, which being from Wisconsin, I rarely do), but there are so may other things I would prioritize ahead of it. |
| 2009-08-17 8:06 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
Master 1790 Tyler, TX | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? Put it on your list of things to learn. I'd worry about endurance and basic technique first. Maybe next season start working on bilateral breathing. It's very good to know, but not crucial. Brian |
| 2009-08-17 8:06 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
Elite 3235 San Diego | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? I agree with the above responses. With that said, I can breathe on both sides, I just don't do it. I have a breathing/ stroke pattern that I find works for me, so I stick with what I know. Edited by madcow 2009-08-17 8:07 AM |
| 2009-08-17 8:07 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
Veteran 284 | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? It's good to do it. I don't do it. I'm a BOP to MOP swimmer. I've done 16 tri's, including 5 HIM's, and my ability to breathe only on one side has never been a limiting factor in my swim. (Not saying it's not possible, just saying it hasn't affected me YET.) Maybe I'll work on that in the offseason this time. JC |
| 2009-08-17 8:08 AM in reply to: #2352556 |
Elite 7783 PEI, Canada | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? scoobysdad - 2009-08-17 10:04 AM I dunno. I'm probably biased because I DON'T do it and, in the 30 tri's I've now done, I've never once thought, "Gosh, now I really regret never learning how to bilateral breathe." It's probably helpful in improving your form and useful in some situations (ocean swims, which being from Wisconsin, I rarely do), but there are so may other things I would prioritize ahead of it. I definitely agree with this statement. I wouldn't make it a high priority skill to master, it's just a good thing to have in the bag of tricks. |
| 2009-08-17 8:19 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
Master 2802 Minnetonka, Minnesota | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? I do bilateral breathing in training as possible as I was developing some shoulder pain and found that unilateral breathing can be a factor. As others have mentioned, it can also be another tool in your Tri toolbox for certain circumstances. One article I found among several: swimming technique was often associated with high incidence of shoulder impingement on the breathing side. Yanai used three dimension video motion analysis of swimming 11 collegiate male swim team members. He concluded swimmers with a high incidence of shoulder impingement had three faulty stroke techniques. One fault was a large amount of internal rotation of the arm during the pull phase. This happens when entry of the hand into the water is thumb first instead of finger first. Having a high elbow during the pull phase is associated with relative internal rotation of the arm. The second fault was late initiation of external rotation of the arm during the recovery phase. This occurs when the elbow of the recovery arm precedes the wrist as the arm comes out of the water. The third fault is not tilting and rotating the trunk and shoulder girdle. If a line between the shoulders stays perpendicular to the line of a progression through the water, it increases the likelihood of the arm impinging against the collar bone and shoulder blade when reaching to enter the hand onto the water. There is diminished tilting and rotating of the trunk on the non-breathing side, and this leads to increased risk of shoulder problem on the non-breathing side. Illustrations of these faults can be found at www.physsportsmed.com/issues/2003/0103/johnson.htm |
| 2009-08-17 8:35 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
Expert 1074 Madison, MS | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? maria40nc - 2009-08-17 7:47 AM I just been mainly working up my distance endurance, but I know I need to work on technique and do drills as well. I've not tried bilateral breathing yet (and don't really want to). I guess I should give it a go. How important is it? I can do it. I don't really like it. But I practice it just in case I need to breathe to the other side for some reason during a race. And, when videotaped, I noticed I actually swim better when I bilateral breathe. Go figure. |
| 2009-08-17 8:52 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
Cycling Guru 15134 Fulton, MD | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? Necessary? Not really. Good idea? Definitely. Having the ability to breath a different direction is good in OWS because of waves, sun, competitors, etc. as has been mentioned. I'd recommend it. Plus it helps to balance out the stroke (supposedly) and keeps one from becoming too one-side dominant (again, supposedly). |
| 2009-08-17 9:00 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
Champion 11989 Philly 'burbs | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? I do it. That's all I do. I don't like breathing to one side only but can do it if need be. In fact, I have a swim workout coming up that is 12 x 100 (alternate each 100 with normal breathing and bilateral). Bilateral is normal breathing for me! |
| 2009-08-17 9:16 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
| Regular 81 | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? just do it.... it will only take 3-4 sessions to figure it out. |
| 2009-08-17 9:18 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
Veteran 121 | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? I train and race using bilateral breathing, although I favor one side over the other. It comes in handy when waves are coming from my dominant side, for example. Ask some of the participants in the recent IM CdA if bilateral breathing is important - I'll bet there are some true believers now. For most races, it is not a big deal. |
| 2009-08-17 9:19 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
Master 1641 Seattle, California | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? When I train, I train to be able to breathe on both sides. When I race I only breathe on one side. Where bilateral breathing really helps is when you are in open water and there are waves coming at you from the side you breathe on. If you can switch you breathing on the other side you can avoid lots of water crashing on your face. |
| 2009-08-17 9:20 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
Expert 1118 , North Carolina | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? Responses have been VERY helpful. Thank you. I didn't mention that my swimming has all been in pool thus far. But I have my first open water Tri next month and hope to get out to the lake this weekend for a practice session. I can see how bilateral breathing would be good to know for open water swims. Also, I already have a rotator cuff issue from a car accident and I certainly don't want to exasperate it. I'll give bilateral breathing a go, but not stress over it. |
| 2009-08-17 9:30 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
Buttercup 14334 | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? I don't know how important it is. Yes, I breathe bilaterally. Since I was 7yrs old. The better swimmer you are, the better swimmer you are. The more versatility you have in your swim, the more competent and confident you will feel with your swim. Think of it as having better tools in your toolbox.
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 2009-08-17 9:40 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2009-08-17 9:56 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
| Extreme Veteran 464 Louisville, KY | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? I do it while training in the pool, so that I can do it if I need to. I have yet to do it in a race. |
| 2009-08-17 10:03 AM in reply to: #2352531 |
| Master 2277 Lake Norman, NC | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? To me, swimming is about balance. You're in a medium that requires excellent balance to stay in the proper form. To that end, I think it's very important to be able to breathe from both sides. It aids in balance as well as sighting. I always breathe bilterally. But I don't think it's absolutely required. Breathing to one side for 15 strokes (one pool length) and then switching to the other is perfectly fine. Just so long as you're able to keep the same pace while breathing to either side and sim in a strcight line while breathing to either side - which would mean... balance!  |
| 2009-08-17 1:44 PM in reply to: #2352531 |
| Regular 77 OMAHA | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? Hi, I was a national level swimmer and went to the Olympic Trials when I was 16...If there is anything I know about it is swimming... Train breathing to both sides...its a must...It helps your stroke, avoids injuries and increases your endurance (you have to hold your breath)...Come race day its not important because you should be swimming flat out... Hope this helps... |
| 2009-08-17 2:45 PM in reply to: #2353690 |
| Expert 829 | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? DEMIGODKNIGHT - 2009-08-17 11:44 AM Hi, I was a national level swimmer and went to the Olympic Trials when I was 16...If there is anything I know about it is swimming... Train breathing to both sides...its a must...It helps your stroke, avoids injuries and increases your endurance (you have to hold your breath)...Come race day its not important because you should be swimming flat out... Hope this helps... I've NEVER heard anyone actually recommend holding your breath while swimming! I am a swimming newbie, and I bilaterally breathe only cause someone told me I should... I'm about equal on both sides, so I figure why not? Anyway, when I start to get a bit winded and can't quite make 3 strokes on an easy breathing cycle, I'll switch to one side for 5 strokes, then switch to the other side. That way I'll still use both sides, but not have breathing issues. |
| 2009-08-17 2:53 PM in reply to: #2352556 |
| Champion 8766 Evergreen, Colorado | Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? scoobysdad - 2009-08-17 8:04 AM I dunno. I'm probably biased because I DON'T do it and, in the 30 tri's I've now done, I've never once thought, "Gosh, now I really regret never learning how to bilateral breathe." It's probably helpful in improving your form and useful in some situations (ocean swims, which being from Wisconsin, I rarely do), but there are so may other things I would prioritize ahead of it. Personally, I think you've been lucky. I've been in multiple races where there is SOME reason to breathe to one side or the other...be it waves, or an irksome wetsuit chafe, or better sighting. To the OP...being able to breathe to both sides is a useful skill and one you SHOULD work to acquire. It's not necessarily the top priority, but it's up there. In the grand scheme of things you breathe when you need to...so when I swim a tri I don't tend to breathe every 3 strokes....it's usually more like every 2...but I do have the option to switch back and forth between sides. So I'll breathe every 2 to the left for awhile, then every 2 to the right, etc. etc. etc. |
| 2009-08-17 2:56 PM in reply to: #2353872 |
| Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? norcal_SAHD - 2009-08-17 3:45 PM DEMIGODKNIGHT - 2009-08-17 11:44 AM Hi, I was a national level swimmer and went to the Olympic Trials when I was 16...If there is anything I know about it is swimming... Train breathing to both sides...its a must...It helps your stroke, avoids injuries and increases your endurance (you have to hold your breath)...Come race day its not important because you should be swimming flat out... Hope this helps... I've NEVER heard anyone actually recommend holding your breath while swimming! I am a swimming newbie, and I bilaterally breathe only cause someone told me I should... I'm about equal on both sides, so I figure why not? Anyway, when I start to get a bit winded and can't quite make 3 strokes on an easy breathing cycle, I'll switch to one side for 5 strokes, then switch to the other side. That way I'll still use both sides, but not have breathing issues. No, you definitely DON'T want to hold your breath while swimming! Hypoxic swimming (which is what that's called) is an outdated technique. I'm guessing that poster was probably a swimmer many years back. Everyone has already posted the reasons why it's not a bad idea to learn to breathe bilaterally. If that's how you learned and that's how you're comfortable, then that's fine. I breath bilaterally, but also will switchg to breathing just on one side, esp. my weak side. If anything, THAT has helped me even out my stroke. Most of us are one-side dominant in various activities, so it's common to have one side be stronger than the other, or have some funky technique things going on on one side only. For open water, it's best to be able to be flexible. |
| 2009-08-17 3:01 PM in reply to: #2353872 |
| Subject: RE: How important is bilateral breathing? Do you do it? norcal_SAHD - 2009-08-17 12:45 PM DEMIGODKNIGHT - 2009-08-17 11:44 AM Hi, I was a national level swimmer and went to the Olympic Trials when I was 16...If there is anything I know about it is swimming... Train breathing to both sides...its a must...It helps your stroke, avoids injuries and increases your endurance (you have to hold your breath)...Come race day its not important because you should be swimming flat out... Hope this helps... I've NEVER heard anyone actually recommend holding your breath while swimming! I am a swimming newbie, and I bilaterally breathe only cause someone told me I should... I'm about equal on both sides, so I figure why not? Anyway, when I start to get a bit winded and can't quite make 3 strokes on an easy breathing cycle, I'll switch to one side for 5 strokes, then switch to the other side. That way I'll still use both sides, but not have breathing issues. It's a very common training technique... or at least used to be. There was even an article in Triathlete magazine one or two months ago with a pro triathlete giving swimming "training tips," including hypoxic sets. (not saying it's right, wrong or indifferent). From what I've read they are not particularly safe and may lead to shallow water blackout As for the OP, I am with scoobysdad. I breathe to the right every stroke in races. I can breathe left to bouy site, check out where other people are, but I am not very good at it. If you can work on it, great, but I wouldn't put it near the top of the priority list. |
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