Read this interesting nugget from AC newsletter on training for climbs. But it probably applies for other sports too. :)
http://www.adventureconsultants.com/adventure/newsletter/
No matter what training routine you follow it is always desirable to train to increase your lung capacity. A really good place to do this is in the pool. It doesn’t matter whether you are a regular fish or a sinker, we can all increase our lung capacity to increase our performance. This is going to pay dividends at altitude and aid the acclimatisation process. Why? Because we are putting our lungs under pressure through this training and they will become more effective in the uptake of O2.
How? During a swim training session do some ‘blocks’ where you focus on your breathing. Check how often do you breathe? It is fairly standard in swimming to breathe every 3rd stroke on alternate sides. To increase our lung capacity we train ourselves to swim longer with less breaths. Start your first lap on your regular pattern, let’s say every 3rd breath. On your second lap breathe every 5th stroke. Do the return lap every 3rd, then back to every 5th. Keep going until you are struggling for air and push yourself until you have to stop. Rest and let your pulse and breathing rate return to normal. Once this becomes easy, increase the number of strokes until you are being pushed again.
Play around with the blocks, begin with a breath once every 9 strokes for as many laps as you can do without having to stop, then drop it back (so you can just handle it) and do as many lengths as you can in oxygen debt but without stressing yourself too much.
This is a very good way to learn to control your breathing and activity rate in preparation for altitude. On top of that, swimming can be one of the most accessible activities for those who cannot easily escape the city for hill training. Swimming also enhances your aerobic fitness and reduces the chance for injury. Add it to your program and you’ll notice the benefits almost immediately.
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