Do Triathletes Need To Breath Bilaterbally?

As distance swimmers we need to breath every two, three or five strokes so
oxygen delivered to the muscles sufficiently. If someone can breath bilaterbally
(on both sides), it really helps him/her keeps stay symmetrical and efficient.
The question here is, if bilaterbal swimming is so important, how come all these
world class swimmers and triathletes choose to breath to one side when racing?
These are the main reasons for that:
Drafting:
As every experienced triathlete knows, drafting can save around 30%
of your energy. Drafting can be done by staying behind another athletes legs,
reducing the drug, and the second is by placing your self at the side of your
competitor (near his/her waist), as close as you can. This way van be better,
but you have to stay very close.In that case, the secret is to breath at the
side of the lead athlete so you can control the distance and follow his/her
moves.
Tactic:
This is mostly happening to swimming races. Many swimmers breath every two
strokes, but they change breathing side every turn, so they can watch their
main opponent, and accordingly answer to any attacks or accelerations.
Weather conditions:
When swimming in open water, it's important for you to be able to breath on
both sides, so you can avoid direct sunlight, waves, floppy competitors etc.
If you can't breath on the opposite side in that case, you will be drinking a
lot of water every time you try to inhale with a wave coming in your open mouth.

Even though these three cases are about breathing at one side, the common
factor is that you have to be able to breath at your both sides, depending on
the situation.
Trying to breath on both sides during training, will make you symmetrical on
your stroke power, and in result you will swim straight, something that is a big
advantage during open water races. Swimming straight will happen even if you
race breathing on one side, provided that the most of your training is done
bilaterbally.





Christos Christou is an enthouciastic triathlete and blogger. You can visit his blog to find more articles about sports, diet and triathlon at http://www.internetworknow.biz