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Swim Study: Maximizing stroke length = Less Efficiency

PinaPina
in General Training Discussions

Something to think about during the OS when it comes to swimming. I am NOT a great swimmer and would love to know what the expert swimmers think of this?

Study from Southwestern University, Taxas says:

 "The fascinating result was that as the stroke lengthened, oxygen uptake, heart rate and perceived exertion all rose significantly. The kick rate also increased significantly, suggesting the swimmer had to start kicking harder to maintain speed in the dead-spot created between strokes. All of these things are strongly suggesting that trying to maximise stroke length makes you less efficient, not more efficient."

See Blog post from Swimsmooth on this study:

http://www.feelforthewater.com/2012/12/the-data-on-stroke-rate-and-efficiency.html

Comments

  • cgres123cgres123
    So I'm working my way through Tower 26 YouTube videos. I have to say they make the most sense towards approaching swimming for triathlets yet. We are not swimmers. We all want to be better swimmers and we are all being trained by swimmers who swim in a pool. Some sort of disconnect here. Maybe if we swim with 2/ 3 people in a lane all going the same direction and get comfortable with that it may mimic a triathlon race.

    Thoughts ?
  • morpheusmorpheus
    After IMFL, I'm going Rocky on everyone. Short strokes, body blow, body blow..... keep the hands and elbows up, dodge, weave, short quick shots to the nearest swimmers ribs... No point in practicing long smooth and steady if I'm in a cage match for 70-80 minutes. Pissed that I've spent so much time on lengthening that damn vessel and feeling the stretch and reach and reach, blah...
  • nigelfranklynnigelfranklyn
    I think it is because as your stroke gets longer, the gliding eventually leads to you stalling and considerable effort to get going again. I am no pro though.

    @ chris - I read an article the state the focusing on the back end of the stroke is way more important than working on a longer stroke.
  • PinaPina
    IMFL last month was the craziest OWS I've ever been in. It's the first time I got "beat up" and my time showed that. 3000 people + those waves = rough swim. Looking forward to my next IM in a calm OWS lake.
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