Home / Latest / FEMTASTIC – Why Women Thrive In Freediving
Freediving demands both physical and mental endurance. When it comes to freediving records, men still take the lead. Men, on average, have more lung capacity and muscle mass to dive longer and deeper. However, if you take a closer look, the gap is closing. Women all over the world are achieving exceptional performances below the surface and continue to set new records: German freediver Heike Schwerdtner held her breath for 9 minutes and 7 seconds; Italian freediver Alessia Zecchini descended to an incredible 123 meters with her monofin; and Ukrainian athlete Kateryna Sadurska went down to 84 meters without fins. The list goes on and on.
Considering that men have about 25 to 30 percent bigger lung capacity than women, it is remarkable that most freediving records of female athletes are just around 10 percent below male performances. Let’s look at the physiological and physical strengths that help women thrive underwater.
Stylish Quote
Every time we submerge below the surface, we practice mindfulness by focusing our awareness on the present. As freedivers – no matter what gender – we can be rewarded with mental control and a meditative state of mind. Research shows that women, in particular, have strong psychosomatic skills that align perfectly with the essence of freediving. Female athletes demonstrate high commitment and achieve better levels of relaxation. Women are also determined when it comes to mental practices.
Join the community—freediving is for everyone, no matter your age or experience. The best time to start is today. The Molchanovs Education System offers courses for all levels, from beginners to competitive freedivers. Explore your options here.
Want to discover inspiring female freedivers or stay updated on the latest gear launches from the Molchanovs Shop? Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news.
2. Males Have a Higher Energy Expenditure than Females during Squat Training
3. Under water and into yourself: Emotional experiences of freediving contact information
4. Nature Connection Changes Throughout the Life Span: Generation and Sex-Based Differences in Ecowellness
5. Psychological Characteristics of Free Diving Athletes: A Comparative Study
6. Evaluation of Mental Skills among Athletes: Is there a Difference between Males and Females?
7. Modeling Gender Differences in Heart Rate During the Diving Reflex: Insights into Physiological Adaptability
FEMTASTIC – Why Women Thrive In Freediving
Female freedivers continue to exceed underwater. In the month of International Women’s Day in March, we take a closer look at how women adapt to freediving.By: Bianca Klement
The community of freediving women is growing. Photo © Federico Buzzoni
Freediving demands both physical and mental endurance. When it comes to freediving records, men still take the lead. Men, on average, have more lung capacity and muscle mass to dive longer and deeper. However, if you take a closer look, the gap is closing. Women all over the world are achieving exceptional performances below the surface and continue to set new records: German freediver Heike Schwerdtner held her breath for 9 minutes and 7 seconds; Italian freediver Alessia Zecchini descended to an incredible 123 meters with her monofin; and Ukrainian athlete Kateryna Sadurska went down to 84 meters without fins. The list goes on and on.
Considering that men have about 25 to 30 percent bigger lung capacity than women, it is remarkable that most freediving records of female athletes are just around 10 percent below male performances. Let’s look at the physiological and physical strengths that help women thrive underwater.
Freediving icon Natalia Molchanova was the queen of the underwater world and shaped the sport like no other.
Photo © Molchanovs
The Oxygen Advantage
With bigger lungs than women, men can take in more oxygen on a dive. The average lung capacity for males is about 6 liters and 4 liters for females. Yet, having smaller lungs does not stop women from crushing it in freediving because there are always two sides to every coin. Men might be able to breathe and store more air, but according to scientific studies, women use oxygen more efficiently. Due to their higher muscle mass, men require more energy for their muscle maintenance and their overall energy expenditure. Thus, the fact that women can carry less air is compensated to a certain extent.
Freediving is not only sport. It’s a way to understand who we are.
The Mammalian Dive Reflex: A Strong Response
We all have it, and as freedivers, we depend on it: The Mammalian Dive Reflex triggers a series of physiological responses as soon as we submerge our face underwater. The colder the water temperature, the stronger the response. The mammalian dive reflex slows the heart rate, constricts blood vessels, and optimizes oxygen delivery to the brain and heart. The heart rate decreases – an effect called bradycardic response – and less oxygen is consumed. A recent study about the gender differences in heart rate during the dive reflex revealed that women’s bradycardic response is more pronounced than men’s, meaning their heart rate decreases faster, helping them conserve oxygen.
Many women feel a strong connection to water. Research shows that so-called blue spaces have a positive impact on mental health. Photo © wowwlog
The Eco-Wellness-Factor: Women Feel Connected To Nature
When freediving, we emerge into another world. A significant reason why many freedivers seek to explore the underwater world is an inner yearning to be closer to nature and the aquatic world. Studies show that women tend to connect more strongly with nature than men. This natural bond helps us to feel more relaxed and comfortable. So, every dive is a little bit like coming home.
Molchanovs athlete Maria Antonia Vergara is among the top three freedivers in Panama. Photo © Molchanovs
The Mental Power of Freedivers
Freediving is as much if not more a mental sport than a physical one. To perform our best, we must overcome instincts – like the reflex to breathe. We learn how to deal with physical and mental stress, maintain self-control, and do so with a positive mindset. Being in the water teaches us that negative thoughts rob us of energy and that tough training, reaching PBs, and staying focused are much more enjoyable and easier with a positive mindset. For some, freediving is a form of meditation, and for many, it is the ultimate stress relief. This therapeutic effect is not just what we like to think because we love the sport; it is a scientific fact. A comparative study from Turkey about the psychological characteristics of freedivers vs. non-freedivers showed that freedivers experience less anxiety, fewer stress syndromes, and less negative affectivity than non-athletes. To freedivers, these results come as no surprise. By focusing on our breath and relaxation every time we prepare to dive, we emerge into mindful strategies to reduce stress and anxiety.Every time we submerge below the surface, we practice mindfulness by focusing our awareness on the present. As freedivers – no matter what gender – we can be rewarded with mental control and a meditative state of mind. Research shows that women, in particular, have strong psychosomatic skills that align perfectly with the essence of freediving. Female athletes demonstrate high commitment and achieve better levels of relaxation. Women are also determined when it comes to mental practices.
Molchanovs athlete Leena Oijala preparing for a dive. Relaxation is a vital skill for freedivers. Molchanovs offers training options and online courses to strengthen your mental skills. Photo ©garrettandrewmoss
Freediving Is Not A Man’s World
Women are thriving underwater. They break records, cross barriers, and keep progressing under water. Being a good freediver is not about being male or female. Countless female athletes dive deeper, longer, and further than many men. There are women in their 80s who are still chasing and achieving world records for their age groups, and there are exceptional talents who unexpectedly break decade-long milestones. Freediving is not a man’s world but a universe where the individual can shine bright, regardless of gender – quite often, those bright lights are female.Join the community—freediving is for everyone, no matter your age or experience. The best time to start is today. The Molchanovs Education System offers courses for all levels, from beginners to competitive freedivers. Explore your options here.
Want to discover inspiring female freedivers or stay updated on the latest gear launches from the Molchanovs Shop? Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news.
Sources
1. Sex differences in the oxygen delivery, extraction, and uptake during moderate-walking exercise transition2. Males Have a Higher Energy Expenditure than Females during Squat Training
3. Under water and into yourself: Emotional experiences of freediving contact information
4. Nature Connection Changes Throughout the Life Span: Generation and Sex-Based Differences in Ecowellness
5. Psychological Characteristics of Free Diving Athletes: A Comparative Study
6. Evaluation of Mental Skills among Athletes: Is there a Difference between Males and Females?
7. Modeling Gender Differences in Heart Rate During the Diving Reflex: Insights into Physiological Adaptability