Total Immersion origins/theory

You might try asking Terry himself... I've found him to be a very friendly guy, who always seems eager to share his knowledge of swimming. His profile here is at: (can't get the link to post?!?... what's up with that?) U.S. Masters Swimming Discussion Forums as: KaizenSwimmer (his User ID here at the USMS Forums, just search on that).

I heard that TI is based on the research of a Russian scientist. Is this true? Who was it? Any published papers or data? In the books, he often used Popov as an example. But I'm guessing that doesn't mean that it was based on Russian research, just that it is one component.

Who was/is Popov's coach/trainer? I remember reading about the Australian National Swim Coach being a Russian scientists (physicist?) who developed the principles of TI and that they were simply adopted here in the US by the TI folks. the answer is in the fourth sentence of Popov's Wikipedia page

In the books, he often used Popov as an example. But I'm guessing that doesn't mean that it was based on Russian research, just that it is one component. Who was/is Popov's coach/trainer? I remember reading about the Australian National Swim Coach being a Russian scientists (physicist?) who developed the principles of TI and that they were simply adopted here in the US by the TI folks.

Who was/is Popov's coach/trainer? I remember reading about the Australian National Swim Coach being a Russian scientists (physicist?) who developed the principles of TI and that they were simply adopted here in the US by the TI folks. Popov's coach is Gennadiy Touretskiy. He used to coach Australian national swimming team - ex. Michael Klim is his ward as well as now he's pepraring Ian Thorpe for Olympics 2012. A bit about Touretskiy - Interview with Touretski on Vimeo

Not to totally hijack this thread, but I've provided a link to my favorite Bill Boomer interview (maybe because he is confirming some of my long held beliefs regarding the importance of training the nervous system) My favorite part is when he discusses how he divides swimmers into either cats or dogs and how you can ruin a cat (i.e. sprinter) by training it like a dog (i.e. endurance athlete). tv.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../5976 Great interview for sure and no way did it hijack the thread Rich. Any chance to be conceptually challenged by Bill Boomer is a growth opportunity. It should also provide another avenue for the OP to consider in his search for the Origins of TI. Here's another article on Boomer's history with Stanford: www.oacswim.org/SubTabGeneric.jsp

My search isn't as much for the origins of TI as it is for a better understanding of the physics and bio-mechanics of swimming. Being an engineer I usually like to dig deeper into areas of interest to gain a better understanding.I'd really recommend you go to the source. Terry Laughlin (KaizenSwimmer) started TI and is very approachable. Message him here or get engaged on his blog through http://www.totalimmersion.net/. As far as getting into the physics of it all, as someone who is academically trained in mathematics, I totally get your desire. But, as a swimmer who sincerely doubts that guys like Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte "get" the physics (in a study of forces, propulsion, equations, etc.) of swimming faster, I'm not sure how understanding the physics is going to translate into you swimming faster (assuming that's what you're going for). Like most things in life, there's an art and a science that combine to produce the excellence and beauty of swimming fast.

Great interview for sure and no way did it hijack the thread Rich. Any chance to be conceptually challenged by Bill Boomer is a growth opportunity. It should also provide another avenue for the OP to consider in his search for the Origins of TI. Here's another article on Boomer's history with Stanford: www.oacswim.org/SubTabGeneric.jsp Thanks for that. My search isn't as much for the origins of TI as it is for a better understanding of the physics and bio-mechanics of swimming. Being an engineer I usually like to dig deeper into areas of interest to gain a better understanding.

I agree that Bill Boomer provided some of the direction. I was privileged to here Bill 3 times in the mid 90’s & once in a pool setting. It was fascinating to hear the way he breaks down swimming & analyzes the mechanics. Watching the drill progressions that he did with swimmers was phenomenal.

Not to totally hijack this thread, but I've provided a link to my favorite Bill Boomer interview (maybe because he is confirming some of my long held beliefs regarding the importance of training the nervous system) My favorite part is when he discusses how he divides swimmers into either cats or dogs and how you can ruin a cat (i.e. sprinter) by training it like a dog (i.e. endurance athlete). tv.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../5976