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...
It is very possible there are environmental or psychological issues as others have said -- it can be as simple as you are especially dialed in on your best event.
Hey Slow, thanks for your post! I have been testing my heart rate after 100's or 200's of just breaststroke pull and just breaststroke kick (without board, arms in front) and have found my heart rate is always less on kick when I give them both the same effort. My thinking is that I still have residual issues from my bilateral thoracic outlet syndrome. The left shoulder was operated on, however, I avoided surgery on the right side with successful physical therapy. But, I wouldn't say I am 100%; not by a long shot.
According to MayoClinic.com, thoracic outlet syndrome is defined as: "Thoracic outlet syndrome is a group of disorders that occur when the blood vessels or nerves in the thoracic outlet — the space between your collarbone and your first rib — become compressed. This can cause pain in your shoulders and neck and numbness in your fingers."
In my case, it was a repetitive work-related injury and the blood vessels and nerves were involved- seriously. I could not lift my arms up over my head without my heart rate elevating substantially. And, I had no strength to keep them there. I even had to brush my teeth with my head bent over. Brushing my hair was next to impossible and I was unable to lift anything overhead. It was like having jello for arms, but with added pain.
My surgeon said I would be able to swim again, post-surgery, however, I am able to do way more than we ever thought. The reality is, I am very thankful I can just swim again; I shouldn't be complaining about how difficult breaststroke is for my heart rate! :blush:
Physiologically, the fact that I am using both my arms simultaneously in front of my shoulders is probably why my heart rate becomes more elevated than while swimming long access strokes.
My part-time coach had me narrow my pull to put less strain on my shoulders. But, gradually, as I have strengthened my shoulders through weight training, my arms have migrated to a wider pull. It wasn't really a conscious thing, but I noticed it recently on a video that was taken from a frontal view. So, my coach challenged me to keep my pull no wider than my body width and go for a faster pull, shooting my arms forward after a quicker insweep. And, the focus now is on putting more emphasis on the strength of my kick. It has helped! My heart rate is not climbing quite as high and I have more endurance.
It is very possible there are environmental or psychological issues as others have said -- it can be as simple as you are especially dialed in on your best event.
Hey Slow, thanks for your post! I have been testing my heart rate after 100's or 200's of just breaststroke pull and just breaststroke kick (without board, arms in front) and have found my heart rate is always less on kick when I give them both the same effort. My thinking is that I still have residual issues from my bilateral thoracic outlet syndrome. The left shoulder was operated on, however, I avoided surgery on the right side with successful physical therapy. But, I wouldn't say I am 100%; not by a long shot.
According to MayoClinic.com, thoracic outlet syndrome is defined as: "Thoracic outlet syndrome is a group of disorders that occur when the blood vessels or nerves in the thoracic outlet — the space between your collarbone and your first rib — become compressed. This can cause pain in your shoulders and neck and numbness in your fingers."
In my case, it was a repetitive work-related injury and the blood vessels and nerves were involved- seriously. I could not lift my arms up over my head without my heart rate elevating substantially. And, I had no strength to keep them there. I even had to brush my teeth with my head bent over. Brushing my hair was next to impossible and I was unable to lift anything overhead. It was like having jello for arms, but with added pain.
My surgeon said I would be able to swim again, post-surgery, however, I am able to do way more than we ever thought. The reality is, I am very thankful I can just swim again; I shouldn't be complaining about how difficult breaststroke is for my heart rate! :blush:
Physiologically, the fact that I am using both my arms simultaneously in front of my shoulders is probably why my heart rate becomes more elevated than while swimming long access strokes.
My part-time coach had me narrow my pull to put less strain on my shoulders. But, gradually, as I have strengthened my shoulders through weight training, my arms have migrated to a wider pull. It wasn't really a conscious thing, but I noticed it recently on a video that was taken from a frontal view. So, my coach challenged me to keep my pull no wider than my body width and go for a faster pull, shooting my arms forward after a quicker insweep. And, the focus now is on putting more emphasis on the strength of my kick. It has helped! My heart rate is not climbing quite as high and I have more endurance.
