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.
It seems logical that the wide range actual swimming based training activities including the development of underwater swimming used by many competitive swimmers today will generate significant core/trunk strength in itself. That fact that many of the highly successful coaches supplement that with dryland activities also reflects how it important trunk strength, power, and durability are.
I can say for myself that about seven years ago about age 50, my back had minor aches when in the kitchen doing stuff like feeding the dishwater, reaching high in the cabinets. So I got a roman chair and started doing back "crunches" progressing up from 20 to several rounds of 100 a couple times during the day. Then I made a simple exercise room including a treadmill for walking, some dumbbells, and a simple machine for Lats, chest, and leg extensions. This was mainly for rebuilding my personal strength and for my wife who has low bone density. We use it daily, but not the yoga ball so much. This has been a tremendous benefit for our wellness, and I have not had any back issue since that time. I like doing dolphin kicking of all types particularly on my back with different kinds of equipment and feel that really is beneficial to my trunk strength also.
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.
It seems logical that the wide range actual swimming based training activities including the development of underwater swimming used by many competitive swimmers today will generate significant core/trunk strength in itself. That fact that many of the highly successful coaches supplement that with dryland activities also reflects how it important trunk strength, power, and durability are.
I can say for myself that about seven years ago about age 50, my back had minor aches when in the kitchen doing stuff like feeding the dishwater, reaching high in the cabinets. So I got a roman chair and started doing back "crunches" progressing up from 20 to several rounds of 100 a couple times during the day. Then I made a simple exercise room including a treadmill for walking, some dumbbells, and a simple machine for Lats, chest, and leg extensions. This was mainly for rebuilding my personal strength and for my wife who has low bone density. We use it daily, but not the yoga ball so much. This has been a tremendous benefit for our wellness, and I have not had any back issue since that time. I like doing dolphin kicking of all types particularly on my back with different kinds of equipment and feel that really is beneficial to my trunk strength also.
