Do swimmers develop a "third lung"?

[thefruitfarmer]

I have started swimming regularly again recently and I am starting to get fitter.

Something I have noticed is that it reaches a point where it feels like there is almost an extra lung at the top of my chest. My lung capacity has increased - I can take a deep breath then after about a month of swimming regularly I can take an extra breath on top, as were.

Does anyone know what this is all about?

[WookieeForLife]

Uhm, maybe your lungs got strong.

[alapantera]

You should definitely see a doctor.

[DigMe]

I wouldn't worry unless you start noticing signs of gill development.

bc

[Mark Wilson]

I swam competitively for 5 years.

it's just your lungs growing stronger.

[Thunderscreech]

I might have to start swimming to prevent myself from smoking too much and getting fat and lazy before my next thru-hike.

[Kevinmach]

Your lungs just get more efficient. Not sure what the deal is with you feeling air at the top of your chest, but I've done triathlons for a few years and when the training season starts, there is a HUGE difference between that and how well you perform come race day.

[Joe Gress]

Helps for rippin bongs. Ask Phelps.

[popinfresh]

Originally Posted by Joe Gress

Helps for rippin bongs. Ask Phelps.

Beat me to it

[Figjam]

I noticed the same effect on my lungs after smoking out of bongs daily for a long time. Its just your lungs getting better at their job.

[LaklandBass]

Yea thatll happen. Im really into cycling and ive noticed the same. Whats fun is at hour 7 of a ride when your lungs physically hurt from all the breathing.

[peterbright]

If you have a third lung, the mothership will take you home eventually.

[beelzelboss]

The same has happened to me. I started swiming in the middle of august, and I do it five times a week for about an hour. I think that its just that we were not able to fully use our lungs (maybe that top part) but now that our lung capacity has gone up, we notice it. But I could be wrong.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Swimmers+Third+Lung


EDIT: HAHA look at the first hit. Its ours.

[Vorago]

I swim 3-5 times a week, and I've noticed that if I stop swimming (or exercising) for more than a couple of weeks, my breaths become less deep, very weird...probably the same thing

[TheXym]

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

I swam competitively for 5 years.

it's just your lungs growing stronger.

+1. If you're swimming and feeling this effect, now would also be a good time to work on your singing skills to complement your bass skills. I was at my best vocally when I was on swim team.

[WRBass]

Originally Posted by DigMe

I wouldn't worry unless you start noticing signs of gill development.

bc

+1
I would check behind the ears.

[thefruitfarmer]

Originally Posted by TheXym

+1. If you're swimming and feeling this effect, now would also be a good time to work on your singing skills to complement your bass skills. I was at my best vocally when I was on swim team.

True enough.

I used to go to a pop singers workshop and one of the exercises was for us all to sing a note in the middle of our individual vocal ranges for as long as possible. I used to swim competitively as a kid and with my relatively enormous lungs I was always the one singing the note the longest.

Lots more women than guys in those classes too!!

[MakiSupaStar]

I swam competitively for 17 years. What your experiencing is your body's adaption to working ana-aerobically. You're exercising with a minimal amount of breathing. This results in increased lung capacity as you get stronger. Additionally, the more you swim, the more effecient you get at it, and as a result the less effort it takes to do things, so you use less oxygen to do it. I've never heard this sensation described as a third lung, but that works I guess.

[iammr2]

Don't worry about. Heck, I grew a third testicle.

[Valerus]

Hmm. Maybe I should start.