For most people, I would think swimming butterfly would be the most demanding stroke, raising the heart rate the highest. So, leaving that stroke out of this discussion, which stroke raises your heart rate the highest while working on DPS?
Saturday is recovery day for me, so I take Paul Smith's advice by aiming to keep my heart rate below 120. For my recovery swims, I have been swimming various 100's, resting for 20 seconds, on the advice of James Adams. I work on DPS and technique by doing various drills, as well as full stroke. After each 100, during the rest period, I take my pulse for 10 seconds and multiply x6, to determine my heart rate.
My normal resting heart rate is 50-54; it used to be 68 when I was a power walker/ gym rat, before returning to swimming. So, it has improved quite a bit. But, I have found it difficult to keep it down while swimming breaststroke (my best competitive stroke). And, I am curious if others have experienced the same thing.
While working on DPS and trying to keep a good propulsive phase and streamline for each of the strokes, this is my typical heart rate on a recovery day:
Freestyle- 17 (10 seconds)/ 102 (per minute)
Backstroke- 20/ 120
Breaststroke- 24/ 144 :afraid:
If I just work on my breaststroke pull (no pull buoy), I can keep my heart rate closer to 120, but it still gets to high. And, if I just work on my kick (no board, on stomach, arms out in front), I can keep it even lower. But, once I put the stroke together, fuhhhgetaboutit! (And, yes, I am exhaling fully on each stroke.)
So this is what I can't figure out: Why was breaststroke so easy when I swam back in high school and had a race time 11 seconds faster on my 100 than I do now? It seemed like I could swim breaststroke forever! At the time, it was freestyle that was so difficult and got my heart rate jumping. I hated it! But, now, it's breaststroke that is the more heart-racing stroke. (On both strokes, my technique is much better now than it was then.)
I will be curious to hear what others have experienced...
Ganache, that was interesting!
I do not use a heart monitor; I just do a carotid artery check as soon as I hit the wall. I check my rate for 10 seconds, grab a quick sip of water, and off I go again; hardly enough time for my heart rate to react to mental thoughts and anticipation. If anything, my heart rate would probably go up the most anticipating backstroke, since it is my worst stroke.
I think it is more a physiological thing. In breaststroke, both arms are used simultaneously during the propulsive phase, whereas on the long axis strokes, one arm is in recovery and they alternate. The demand of both arms simultaneously makes the heart work harder; at least for me. And, on recovery, since I have a difficult time keeping my arms streamlined, I have to work hard to keep my elbows straight. So, I'm not exactly resting while I ride the glide! :censor:
Ganache, that was interesting!
I do not use a heart monitor; I just do a carotid artery check as soon as I hit the wall. I check my rate for 10 seconds, grab a quick sip of water, and off I go again; hardly enough time for my heart rate to react to mental thoughts and anticipation. If anything, my heart rate would probably go up the most anticipating backstroke, since it is my worst stroke.
I think it is more a physiological thing. In breaststroke, both arms are used simultaneously during the propulsive phase, whereas on the long axis strokes, one arm is in recovery and they alternate. The demand of both arms simultaneously makes the heart work harder; at least for me. And, on recovery, since I have a difficult time keeping my arms streamlined, I have to work hard to keep my elbows straight. So, I'm not exactly resting while I ride the glide! :censor:
