swimming and bloated stomach/burping

Question
Hello, Ron Usher

I normally swim once or twice a week, completing 20 laps in freestyle swimming.

However, after finishing my laps, I feel bloated stomach and burp several times.

What's wrong?
Is it anything to do with dieting or swallowing the chemicals in the water?

Thanks,

Regards,

Jay K.

Answer
Hi Jay,

It sounds to me like you're swallowing air when you breathe. The air would fill up your stomach and make you bloated till you burp. Here's some tips to help you. The first step is learning how to breathe correctly.

1) Start by noticing your breath when you're not near the water. Breath through the mouth and notice how the air goes in and out. There's no swallowing.
2) Imagine you are swimming. Turn your head slightly to the side, breathe in, close your mouth, and then exhale. You should be able to do this without swallowing as well.
3) Now do the same thing but in the pool. Start just by bobbing your head up and down while seated or standing; working on relaxed, easy breathing with no swallowing. You might be tightening up your face, neck, shoulder or chest muscles as well. Stay relaxed.
4) The next step is to practice it while holding on the wall and kicking. You could also use a kickboard with fins. Arms extended in front and practice rolling your body, turning your head to the side and breathing. If you notice yourself swallowing water, go back to the beginning and work on getting it right.
5) Then you can start swimming. If you find yourself still swallowing air and getting bloated, go slower and stop more frequently.

While swimming you might be breathing incorrectly. Sometimes swimmers "gulp" the air to try to get a quick breath. It is even taught this way. Here are some tips to help you breathe in the water better.
1) Barely open your mouth when you inhale. If your lips are touching and you push your jaw over to the side it will open a big enough hole for you to breath.
2) You don't need a huge amount of air. Swim slowly and work on breathing relaxed with small breaths.
3) When you breathe, roll your body (hips and shoulders)as well as turning your head. This will give you more time to get air and more room for you to get it as well.
4) If you need more help, try using fins. They will make it easier to breathe, so you can focus on breathing technique instead of just trying to swim.

That should do it. Keep up the great work!
Ron