Calling all USMS members. Your response to this post will be used to create an article in Swimmer magazine about cross training. What types of training do you most commonly do outside of the pool? How often? What cross training works the best, and what types are the least helpful for swimming? :bliss:
Former Member
On the advise of other swimmers, I took up Yoga to keeo felxibilty in my shoulders and for overall strength development in my shoulders and surrounding muscles. I wouldn't say I have noticed an improvement in my swim times, but my shoulders aren't as achy as they were before I started Yoga and who doesn't want to increase general flexibilty.
I lift about 1 hr 4x/wk, and swim about 1 hr 7x/wk (GTD is 234 miles). I spend a good portion of my time in the water doing drills or trying to swim efficiently.
I have heard that is the case with many static stretches. Dynamic stretching appears to be where it's at these days.
I thought that what was debunked was that stretching can prevent injuries, reduce muscle soreness, etc. What was not debunked, and which is supported by scientific evidence, is that stretching can increase flexibility. For many sports (e.g., running), this is not important. But for swimming, it seems fairly important. A lack of back, scapular, and ankle flexibility will cause you to be slower. Scapular and neck tightness can also cause shoulder pain. And I seem to recall that these muscles don't fall into the category of unstretchable muscles.
So I am not persuaded that swim specific stretches are a waste of time for swimming.
I am very convinced that every other sport -- cycling, running, tennis, soccer, etc. -- is a waste of time if you want to swim faster.
What was not debunked, and which is supported by scientific evidence, is that stretching can increase flexibility. For many sports (e.g., running), this is not important. But for swimming, it seems fairly important. A lack of back, scapular, and ankle flexibility will cause you to be slower. Scapular and neck tightness can also cause shoulder pain.
I just happened to read an article about Detroit Tigers pitcher Phil Coke who credits Adrian Crook with helping improve his pitching back when he was struggling in the minor leagues:
His career at a crossroads, Coke sought the help of a training guru named Adrian Crook. Self-billed as a "flexibility and movement consultant," Crook had helped train athletes ranging from Olympic volleyball player Karch Kiraly to hockey stars Teemu Selanne, Joe Sakic, and Paul Kariya to MLB standouts like former Giants closer Robb Nen. Crook's teaching was grounded in Shaolin kung fu. For Crook, the goal of Shaolin was to develop flexibility, balance, and core strength as the pillars for training athletes in any sport. By becoming more flexible, Crook believed athletes could recover from even the most intense workouts and dramatically lower their injury risk. In training baseball pitchers, the focus would be on dissecting every element of throwing mechanics, right down to what the fingers and the wrists do. Crook's pitcher pupils would use weighted balls to exercise each part of the arm and hand, via what he called "ridiculously high reps." Coke loved these ideas and was eager to start training with Crook immediately.
www.grantland.com/.../phil-coke-road-majors-was-far-short-glamorous
My wife is always trying to convince me that improving my flexibility would help my swimming. I figure she's probably right, but so far haven't actually done anything about it! :bolt:
I am very convinced that every other sport -- cycling, running, tennis, soccer, etc. -- is a waste of timeWholeheartedly agree. :applaud:
And, I swear I'm not the least bit biased by the fact that I completely suck at every other sport invented.:bolt:
EKW: Your dog and smontanaro's dog would make quite the pair! :D
P.S. I see you kept busy at work doing some serious research! :chug:
Former Member
Don't forget that the liver needs to be fit as well (Nelson, 2012).
To add to the literature (none of which I have actually read, but I looked very busy at work while doing the cursory search...):
Denke M. Nutritional and health benefits of beer. The American Journal Of The Medical Sciences . November 2000;320(5):320-326. Available from: MEDLINE with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 23, 2012.
Kondo K. Beer and health: preventive effects of beer components on lifestyle-related diseases. Biofactors (Oxford, England) . 2004;22(1-4):303-310. Available from: MEDLINE with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 23, 2012.
Leskošek-Čukalović I, Despotović S, Nedović V, Lakić N, Nikšić M. New Type of Beer -- Beer with Improved Functionality and Defined Pharmacodynamic Properties. Food Technology & Biotechnology . July 2010;48(3):384-391. Available from: Business Source Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 23, 2012.
Magalhães P, Carvalho D, Cruz J, Guido L, Barros A. Fundamentals and health benefits of xanthohumol, a natural product derived from hops and beer. Natural Product Communications . May 2009;4(5):591-610. Available from: MEDLINE with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 23, 2012.
Sohrabvandi S, Mortazavian A, Rezaei K. Health-Related Aspects of Beer: A Review. International Journal Of Food Properties . March 2012;15(2):350-373. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 23, 2012.
:chug:
i knew i would regret that "fit" class yesterday; i predict one more day before my quads totally seize up :cane:
since we're masters, i think there should be the option:
physical therapy for your (fill in your ailment(s)), to be considered as part of your cross training
yeah, i'm checking that box :D
