Metabolic and biomechanic changes during controlled frequency breathing swimming

Ss (N = 12) swam three-minute workloads at 55, 75, and 85% of maximal exertion for a tethered swimming protocol and 55-95% for a free swimming protocol with either normal breathing or breathing restricted to one breath per eight strokes. Restricted breathing did not alter lactate levels, but did reduce oxygen consumption. Heart and stroke rateS were higher during restricted breathing swimming. Implication. Restricted breathing training compromises the specificity of training effects and could alter biomechanical properties of stroking