Just curious. What distances in an interval series would you swim at max. speed?
For example, I would do a series of 50s at max speed but would it make sense to do 4 x 200 at max speed or is that counterproductive?
I'm sure someone has scientific data regarding this, but my understanding is that to really increase speed via swimming, you need to swim at that max speed. Once you're too fatigued to continue that max speed, you'll be (theoretically) improving something else - aerobic capacity, psychological fortitude, holding your stroke together in the face of pain - but not speed.
Working a 200 at a fast but sub-max speed could help you maintain a relatively high speed for a longer time, but, at least in my experience, it doesn't help raise that max speed you need for a 50.
I'm sure someone has scientific data regarding this, but my understanding is that to really increase speed via swimming, you need to swim at that max speed. Once you're too fatigued to continue that max speed, you'll be (theoretically) improving something else - aerobic capacity, psychological fortitude, holding your stroke together in the face of pain - but not speed.
Working a 200 at a fast but sub-max speed could help you maintain a relatively high speed for a longer time, but, at least in my experience, it doesn't help raise that max speed you need for a 50.
