Professor Alison McConnell – an expert on breathing physiology who also happens to be a freediver – is on a mission. That mission is to try and discover what makes the perfect freediving breathe-up.
Surprisingly, there currently isn’t a single scientific study that sheds light on the ‘breathe-up’, let alone how to achieve the perfect one. Professor McConnell and UK’s GoFreediving Instructor Trainer Emma Farrell are looking for experienced freedivers to take part in this important piece of research.
The study will compare freedivers heart rate response during a ‘breathe-up’ and subsequent static breath hold under four conditions:
- Their usual ‘breathe-up’ for 5 minutes and subsequent dry static breath hold
- Their usual ‘breathe-up’ for 5 minutes in the pool* and subsequent static breath hold
- A 5 minute ‘breathe-up’ paced using a Smartphone App at a specified breathing and subsequent dry static breath hold
- A 5 minute ‘breathe-up’ paced using a Smartphone App at a specified breathing rate in the pool* and subsequent static breath hold *you will be face down in the pool breathing via your own snorkel, but without a mask.
The study will occur on July 12th 2015 in Bath, UK and results will be published in a scientific journal which will help current and future freedivers achieve the optimum preparation for their freedives. The data may also provide some insights that will aid the development of breathing regimens for patients with high blood pressure.
To register your interest in the study, please visit http://gofreediving.co.