To quote swim guru Bill Boomer, "you swim from your inside, out." I take this to mean that the actual propulsive movements of your limbs are enabled/enhanced by a strong and stable core. There are numerous studies that correlate trunk strength with limb power generation. Ask any of the major college swim coaches if they think they're wasting their time having their swimmers engage in dry land core work. BTW, the study in the news article on rowers seems pretty worthless to me. Consider the source.
My 2cents: Strong core muscles (rectus abdominis, external obliques, psoas major) are important for power generation and for body position. IMHO, almost all power athletic movements are initiated by some trunk rotation (followed by arm or leg movement) - e.g. power generation. As far as body position, we all know the importance of a streamline body position. Without the ability to maintain a streamline position (e.g. strong core), resistive drag increases due to a wider cross section (hip over rotates sideways; chest elevates or depresses).
I'll also hazard a guess that the majority of "elite" swimmers already have strong core muscles and do not need further strengthening with supplemental exercises (pilaties, yoga, etc) because they are exercising those muscles while they are swimming.
Respectfully,
To quote swim guru Bill Boomer, "you swim from your inside, out." I take this to mean that the actual propulsive movements of your limbs are enabled/enhanced by a strong and stable core. There are numerous studies that correlate trunk strength with limb power generation. Ask any of the major college swim coaches if they think they're wasting their time having their swimmers engage in dry land core work. BTW, the study in the news article on rowers seems pretty worthless to me. Consider the source.
My 2cents: Strong core muscles (rectus abdominis, external obliques, psoas major) are important for power generation and for body position. IMHO, almost all power athletic movements are initiated by some trunk rotation (followed by arm or leg movement) - e.g. power generation. As far as body position, we all know the importance of a streamline body position. Without the ability to maintain a streamline position (e.g. strong core), resistive drag increases due to a wider cross section (hip over rotates sideways; chest elevates or depresses).
I'll also hazard a guess that the majority of "elite" swimmers already have strong core muscles and do not need further strengthening with supplemental exercises (pilaties, yoga, etc) because they are exercising those muscles while they are swimming.
Respectfully,
