Breath holding

[5ata]

Good point - I'm not saying it doesn't help, just saying that it can be somehwat compensated for through other techniques, but combine those techniques with loss of abdominal fat I am sure will make a difference - My new years resolution in Sept..

 

[CJ Waid]

One trick that works pretty good for me is pre dive hyperventalation.

Just two breaths is my personal max.

I hyperventalate, or take two really fast, shallow breaths, really fast, then a slow deep breath.

This is suppose to take away your "desire" to take a breath for a couple extra moments.

Man, if you are going to stay under for more than two minutes, just strap a tank to your back and stick a regulator in your mouth, just kidding, I surf so I practice the breath holding thing too.

 

[CJ Waid]

There might be some truth to the abdominal fat statement, but I think increased rib cage flexibility comes from specific stretching to stretch the intracostal muscles. Add to that purposeful abdominal breathing exercises, and about the only thing additional abdominal fat will do is increase drag to a certain extent.



definately right about all that.
The fat will make you moer buoyant too.
But keep in mind when stretching that there are several layers of muscles, the ones that you usually feel when you "work out" are the outer layers, and the inner layers (skeletal muscles/intracostal) are the ones that ACHE when you are tired, worn out, and did too much. So kind of get a mental idea of what you are trying to stretch. Puposeful breathing has also been proven to be a benefit, think about martial arts.

 

[agilis]

Do you have any data that supports the concept that the lungs can and will expand into a larger space created by increasing rib and muscle flexibility? I've read that lung tissue begins to tear at about 20% stretching beyond normal full expansion, the primary problem with any breathholding while using scuba. I'm sure it's possible to expand lung volume through repeated exercizes designed to increase the size of the lungs themselves, but I'm not sure that simply expanding the chest cavity will automatically result in any change in lung capacity. In fact, I doubt that normal muscle and bone structures create a barrier to lung expansion. On the other hand, abdominal fat will impinge on normal lung expansion, preventing the lungs from fully expanding.

 

[5ata]

When I was training with Pipin Ferrarras 3 years ago, I discussed with him about lung capacity - on the off season, his lung volume was around 5 liters or so, when in full training, his capacity became almost 8 liters.

I don't have any hard data to support your question, but he, along with other top level freedivers, allow themselves to be used for scientific research at various universities around the world. Without any other supporting data, one could conclude that there is truth to my original statement. I myself have seen my lung capacity go from a little over 4 liters to 6 liters when in full training mode. I believe it has more to do with flexibility of the rib cage allowing for a fuller expansion of the lungs. The vast majority of people only utilize around a third of their total lung capacity - purposeful breathing brings that capacity to it's fullest capabilities - You are correct in your statement that a tear in the lung membrane can occur with packing. Pipin, was not your typical freedive physique - he is barrel chested and stocky - yet, he was able to achieve lung capacities beyond most people- this could be genetic, developed through physical training all through growing up, who knows...

 

[agilis]

I have no doubt that training and practice will increase lung capacity significantly, and also that extended breath holding ability is enhanced through other mechanisms as well. I'm not sure, though, what's actually going on, physiologically. Obviously, there are exceptionally able individuals with highly developed physical and mental mechanisms.

I've been a free diver for many decades, though not in any dedicated technical way. My own experience is that fuller lung utilization and purposeful breathing were most improved and affected by yoga breathing excersizes. I've been told by a pulmonary specialist that some breath holding ability is unavoidably lost as part of the ageing process, and this seems to be so. At 60, I can still do nearly two minutes at a very low level of activity, or half that with moderate swimming effort, but I could do much better when I was in my 20s. I also know from personal experience that shedding excess weight has made a very noticeable difference, just as the MD predicted.

 

[5ata]

You should talk to Bill Graham in Hawaii - He holds the seniors record for Static apnea at something like almost 7 minutes... I think he is like 67

http://usaa.freedivers.com/bios/bill_graham.php

 

[agilis]

Way out of my league, but really impressive. I wonder if his times have remained constant, gotten better, or become more limited, over the years. I never was into breath holding for its own sake; it interested me only as a way to snorkel more easily, to stay down longer with less effort while checking out the reefs and rock piles. My puny one to two minutes is way longer than most of the people I snorkel with. Reading about Bill Graham is inspirational and humbling.

 

[kirkryan]

As for the scientific data behind increased thoracic volume = more air getting into the lungs due to increased lung expansion, one only has to look at the anatomy of the lungs and surrounding pleural memrane as well as know a little physics. The anatomy: The lungs are covered in a double layered membrane with the visceral layer being attached the the organ (lung) and the parietal layer being attached to the inside of the thoracic cavity (rib cage and diaphram). The physics: Intrapleural fluid fills the space between the two layers and the water tension acts to 'velcro' the viceral layer to the parietal layer when expansion of the chest occurs. There for an increase in thoracic cavity volume WILL expand the lungs and cause a decrease in pressure in the lungs. Since the atmospheric pressure is now greater than the air pressure in your lungs, air will rush in and fill your lungs until the pressure matches. Strengthening accessory muscles such as external intercostals, pectoralis minor, and sternocleidomastoids will help to increase thoracic cavity volume my actively lifting the ribs during forced inhalation. If you don't believe me, slowly inhale as much as you can while lightly placing your hand on the front of your neck. At some point you will feel those muscles (sternocleidomastoids) tense and they are pulling up your clavicle to increase thoracic volume = lung volume. Hope this helps!!

 

[5ata]

Excellent bit of info, kirkryan...