Masters Swimming

Hi all,
I have been involved with Masters Swimming since the early 1970's. I became attached to my PM in March 2005.
Would any of you doing swimming work-outs tell me about any changes you have had - compared to pre-PM? If you did experience any changes, how did you adjust?
I would greatly appreciate you comments. Thanks for your time and help.

Richan

3 Comments

No difference, just slowed by age now

by gevans - 2008-05-10 09:05:16

I used to compete in USMS and YMCA National Championships (I think the last for me was Ft Lauderdale in the late 90's), but I still hit the pool for 1000 to 1600m four or five times per week. I specifically mentioned that to my cardiologist and he allowed extra play in my leads so that I could achieve full extension on my stroke. I was never a sprinter so my beta blockers and rhythm meds don't come into play as much with swimming as they do with my running.

Send me a PM if you have any specific issues,

Gary

No Difference

by richan - 2008-05-11 06:05:11

Hi Gary,
Thank you for your response. Some history here: I was diagnosed with A-Fib when they hooked me up to and EKG before shoulder surgery that I was about to undergo. The anesthesiologist told me that I could not have my surgery because I had A-fib and haven't I been feeling it. Like you, Gary, I did not know I had it. I'd get winded during swim work-outs - so did everybody else in my lane (I suppose that I got winded before they did). I attributed that to age - I'm the oldest one in our lane. I have been on an anticoagulant ever since - warfarin (Coumadin). My cardio suggested cardioversion. I guess because it was the least invasive way to get back into normal rhythm. Over about 6 or 8 weeks I had it done twice. I guess I couldn't hold rhythm very long. After the second try, my HR dropped down to 32 BPM. Regardless of what I did my HR would not respond to demand. Walking was difficult, climbing stairs and swimming was even more difficult. Ablation scares the hell out of me! So, my cardio told me that I needed a PM which I got in March 2005 (Guidant 1208 - 2 leads). I'm thinking that at this point, ablation would not be a good choice, since my circuitry wasn't to good. I take Flecainide to regulate and Warfarin to prevent clots. According to the print-outs that my pacemaker lady takes from me every 6 months, I have had only one short (3.5 seconds) event of A-fib.
Now, does your St. Jude have 1 or 2 ways to increase your HR? Mine has 2: motion sensor that works when I am vertical (walking etc) and breathing sensor. When I am swimming the motion sensor doesn't work. Breathing is it! So, stroke, stroke, breath is the most I can do. If I hyperventilate, I can get my HR to increase. Have you noticed that with yours? Right now, I hyperventilate a lot between sets and a lot between sendoffs. Shorter intervals are really killers as are hypoxy sets.
Anyhow, taking age into account, I'm wondering if there are things that I can do to help.
Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Richan

response

by gevans - 2008-05-16 01:05:20

RH,
I can't believe you only had one 3.5 second afib. I have them all the time (at least according to the printouts), some over 12 hrs in duration (and my EP says he's not concerned just as long as they don't last over 36 hrs).

I was also unaware of the "vertical" aspect of my rate response. I knew it was triggered by motion and breathing - hence I figured the rolling I do with each stroke provided one trigger, and the breathing, the other. I use bilateral breathing (for muscular symmetry as well as preventing a "dominant side" dependency in open-water events) and seldom have the issues you mentioned with swimming (when compared to running at least).

Regarding suggestions, I can only think maybe more gliding and hip/torso rotation for torque rather than powering through the water predominately with arms and kick. Excuse me if I'm being pedantic, but I've found that I can comfortably swim nearly as fast with much less effort (and consequently less breathlessness) using this technique. Besides, after a brush with my own mortality, I'm less concerned with my diminishing speed and more cognizant of the pure joy of savoring an active lifestyle.

Wishing you the best,

Gary

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