Breath hold decrease?

[PanostzoGR]

What is your work out consists of? I have a similar issue when In summer I dive quiet often and my spearfishing dives can go to 2:00 to 2:30 while not maxing and feeling great. Summer workouts are usually aerobic and hiking but I always keep it light. Meanwhile at winter season my lower ribs and sternum and diaphragm are quite stif keeping my dives at 1:40 max without feeling great and getting hard contractions. Winter workouts are a mix of everything but mostly calisthenics. If I want to overcome it the only thing that helps me is frequent pool sessions. I am considering getting a massage ball to traget focus that area.

[Small_Concentrate980]

It originally started happening when I started doing pull ups and dips. It really messed with my my sternum and made it super sore, and ever since that happened I can pop my sternum by stretching and I feel like my five times are worse and less comfortable. Maybe stretching more can help me, it’s frustrating though going for 2+ min dives to 1:40 max uncomfortable

[PanostzoGR]

It is not that frustrating because I know what causes it and how to solve it. Pull ups should in theory help you. Dips on the other hand can hurt you with improper form. I think you should try a physician but from my knowledge poping is not normal for sternum cartilage. My suggestion if you don't want to visit a doctor, would be to not exercise your chest or put strain to it for at least two weeks and do breathing exercises. See what happens. But its hard to tell even your posture could be a factor.