Hi I am looking for help. I want to know how masters swimmers plan out their Taper before competition. How long is it ? How much do you reduce the distance and intensity of your workouts ?
How effective has it been? Do you Taper at all?
I have found through my own swimming that the Taper for masters swimmers is not the same as for elite swimmers. I don't think that we need the same taper as we are not doing 50,000 + meters a week ! All of the research out there is written for elite swimmers. If anyone knows of an article dealing with taper for masters swimmers then please tell me.
I am thinking of writing a paper on this if I can get enough info. If you could say how you plan your Taper, what your weekly volumes are and the events you swim then I would be eternally thankfull.
I too am swimming less than I used to, so my swimming taper will probably only be a 20-25% reduction in yards. However, I will quit lifting weights 10 days out. I have found this to be effective.
I think that it is impossible to know how much you should taper until after the big meet - and then it is either too much, too little or just right. If you have been disappointed with previous tapers, try tapering less - not more - the next season.
I too am swimming less than I used to, so my swimming taper will probably only be a 20-25% reduction in yards. However, I will quit lifting weights 10 days out. I have found this to be effective.
I think that it is impossible to know how much you should taper until after the big meet - and then it is either too much, too little or just right. If you have been disappointed with previous tapers, try tapering less - not more - the next season.
