Since getting back into masters swimming after a long (12 year) hiatus I've been playing around with the track start which came into vogue after my first "retirement". I'm still torn between the two and have been trying to find what fits me best.
The last month or so I've had a chance to watch ASU, UA, Auburn and UNLV swim meets and what's interesting is that I only saw one or two swimmers using a traditonal "grab" start. I know a few of these coaches and they all said the same thing, it's hands down the fastest start of the two.
Recently a new group has introduced a program caller "PowerStarts" (www.quickgetaway.com) which advocates the complete opposite philosophy. By the way, I'm NOT endorsing this TI type program but do find it interesting!!!
I've had a chance to discuss some of this with Wayne and have basically come to the conclusion that a traditonal grab (power start style) start still works best for my body type (and lack of fast twitch ability!). I do however need to commit the workout time to run a series of 15 M sprints and see what really works.
Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
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Former Member
A thought experiment...
The physics of this is straightforward and comes with one qualification.
The physics: f=ma (force = mass * acceleration).
What you are trying to do is generate the maximum acceleration that you can carry into the water. Since m is constant (except around the holidays, when we all gain a bit), the real issue is what generates the maximum force? It should be easy to instrument starting platforms with strain gauges to measure force and then try to maximize that.
The qualification: One must first learn an "optimal" entrance into the water (no belly flops, a nice clean "hole", etc) and then maintain it as one increases force with the two styles.
At a certain point one will either cease to be able to increase the force with one style vs the other, or will reach a point where maintaining the "optimal" entrance is not possible with an increase of force. Without further training, that would be the optimal start style, at least for that person...
I have neatly sidestepped this issue by swimming mostly open water races and when forced to race in the pool, I start in the pool. Not optimal, but it also makes getting my palty PR's easier.
-LBJ
A thought experiment...
The physics of this is straightforward and comes with one qualification.
The physics: f=ma (force = mass * acceleration).
What you are trying to do is generate the maximum acceleration that you can carry into the water. Since m is constant (except around the holidays, when we all gain a bit), the real issue is what generates the maximum force? It should be easy to instrument starting platforms with strain gauges to measure force and then try to maximize that.
The qualification: One must first learn an "optimal" entrance into the water (no belly flops, a nice clean "hole", etc) and then maintain it as one increases force with the two styles.
At a certain point one will either cease to be able to increase the force with one style vs the other, or will reach a point where maintaining the "optimal" entrance is not possible with an increase of force. Without further training, that would be the optimal start style, at least for that person...
I have neatly sidestepped this issue by swimming mostly open water races and when forced to race in the pool, I start in the pool. Not optimal, but it also makes getting my palty PR's easier.
-LBJ
