The high elbow catch (90 degrees elbow bend) is professed to be better than a straight arm (180 degrees) catch, but why is that so?
Is not the arm surface area connecting with the water identical in both cases?
Physics would say they are equal surface area so it should not make a difference.
???
If you are thinking about physics then you have to think about the physics of the human body and the muscles involved. The bent elbow catch uses your lat muscles and the straight arm catch uses your pectorals. The lat muscles are a lot bigger and stronger than the pectorals and much better for preventing injuries in adults. There are you tube videos showing swimmers trying both strokes on a swim bench with a computer that measures the force of each pull. The bent elbow always wins. You tube is amazing because that equipment is too expensive for the average person to try. After working the bent arm for at least a few weeks, try a time trial of both for yourself. 25 of each with a pull bouy. Every person really is different and you should do what works for you.
If you are thinking about physics then you have to think about the physics of the human body and the muscles involved. The bent elbow catch uses your lat muscles and the straight arm catch uses your pectorals. The lat muscles are a lot bigger and stronger than the pectorals and much better for preventing injuries in adults. There are you tube videos showing swimmers trying both strokes on a swim bench with a computer that measures the force of each pull. The bent elbow always wins. You tube is amazing because that equipment is too expensive for the average person to try. After working the bent arm for at least a few weeks, try a time trial of both for yourself. 25 of each with a pull bouy. Every person really is different and you should do what works for you.
