Re: Swimming
Strong maybe. During the face down portion definitely, but when they turn their head the skin’s still wet, however your brain definitely knows that there’s air to breathe, probably automatically overriding that reflex.
RE: bobbing
Kinda. Especially small children and toddlers are incapable of overriding that reflex, meaning they can and will “drown” when that part is submerged.
The bobbing motion is just more efficient (for 99% of untrained swimmers).
You’ll do the same when exhausted while swimming.
Your body generally isn’t buoyant enough in a normal swimming position. Which means you’ll want to keep your lungs as full as possible, resulting in quick exhale, inhale, and then recouping (and sinking) while being lighter, requiring less force to resurface.
If you have a strong reflex, you can kinda try it out yourself at home, get a glass of cold water, pretend to drink with a closed mouth and slowly tip the glass back without breathing. When the water is almost touching the “base” of your nose, try inhaling. Most people feel some sort of internal “resistance” and don’t want to inhale, that’s that reflex.
(Disclaimer: Obviously people are different, and this reflex naturally gets weaker the older you get.)
Another interesting fact is, it slows your heartbeat significantly. If you have someone there with you, or have a watch that can record your pulse, fill a large bowl with ice-cold water, submerge your face in it, and you’ll immediately lower your pulse.
(Don’t do this with any sort of heart related issues, and maybe try just cold water first)
Thanks! would this reflex trigger when swimming laps and turning your head to the side, or snorkeling with your face submerged?
When kids learn to “bob” down into the water and back up for air, are they fine tuning this reflex?
I’m definitely going to do more research
Re: Swimming Strong maybe. During the face down portion definitely, but when they turn their head the skin’s still wet, however your brain definitely knows that there’s air to breathe, probably automatically overriding that reflex.
RE: bobbing Kinda. Especially small children and toddlers are incapable of overriding that reflex, meaning they can and will “drown” when that part is submerged.
The bobbing motion is just more efficient (for 99% of untrained swimmers).
You’ll do the same when exhausted while swimming.
Your body generally isn’t buoyant enough in a normal swimming position. Which means you’ll want to keep your lungs as full as possible, resulting in quick exhale, inhale, and then recouping (and sinking) while being lighter, requiring less force to resurface.
If you have a strong reflex, you can kinda try it out yourself at home, get a glass of cold water, pretend to drink with a closed mouth and slowly tip the glass back without breathing. When the water is almost touching the “base” of your nose, try inhaling. Most people feel some sort of internal “resistance” and don’t want to inhale, that’s that reflex.
(Disclaimer: Obviously people are different, and this reflex naturally gets weaker the older you get.)
Another interesting fact is, it slows your heartbeat significantly. If you have someone there with you, or have a watch that can record your pulse, fill a large bowl with ice-cold water, submerge your face in it, and you’ll immediately lower your pulse.
(Don’t do this with any sort of heart related issues, and maybe try just cold water first)