breathing at a high rating

[sparson92]

hi all,

i have trouble controlling my breathing during erg tests and i tend to go for more speed during these tests. does anyone have any advice or pointers on how to keep my breathing somewhat easy while rowing at a high rating?

[PaulS]

hi all,

i have trouble controlling my breathing during erg tests and i tend to go for more speed during these tests. does anyone have any advice or pointers on how to keep my breathing somewhat easy while rowing at a high rating?

You can always do a bit of high rate training, while keeping the pace moderate to see if you can find yourself a good rhythm for breathing under less stress than a time trial.

I like to focus on the exhale, and making it complete, the rest tends to take care of itself; but it is rarely what I would call comfortable or "easy" when getting near max capacity.

[johnac]

Have rowed and erged for over 40 years and was asthmatic when I started. Ever since, irrespective of my s.p.m I have inhaled whan I open my shoulders at the catch, exhaled as my hands "round the turn" at the finish, inhale and exhale during the slide forward ready for the next catch. It seems to help me to exhale "audibly" (sounds like a steam train)at the finish because it helps maintain the rhythm. At slow rates and low power I guess I don't breathe anywhere near as deeply or I'd be "overbreathing" but even when flat out I never feel I'm short on air.
Did a 2000m test this morning 7:31.7 - am aged 60. John, Sydney, Australia.

[philrow]

That's so very odd -- you inhale at the catch? And exhale at the finish? It seems counterintuitive to me. At high ratings, I exhale hard at the catch, inhale deeply right after the finish, shallowly exhale, and then shallowly inhale at around 1/2 slide, and then exhale hard at the catch...

Phil