The Fastest Age

VO2max is of more importance in endurance events (in swimming that would be 200m and up). It does correlate with athletic performance, but the correlation coefficient is around .76-.80 (not 1.0). %VO2max, the amount of VO2max you can maintain for say 20-40 minutes, correlates better. Alberto Salazar had a lower VO2max than other runners but a higher %VO2max. If you take two swimmers who are otherwise equal, the one with the higher %VO2max should win. I emphasize equal and should. I do believe in the concept of muscle memory, thus technique learned as a youth is still there as an adult. And I think that technique is learned much better at a younger age (watch kids learning to ski). On the other hand, I have a hard time understanding how any of the physiological adaptations to exercise will still exist after a fifteen to twenty year break from the sport. The difference between a lifelong swimmer and a late starter may be that the technique of the former allows for the more efficient transfer of energy. Technique determines which muscle fibers will see an increase in capillaries, mitochondria, enzymes, etc.

VO2max is of more importance in endurance events (in swimming that would be 200m and up). It does correlate with athletic performance, but the correlation coefficient is around .76-.80 (not 1.0). %VO2max, the amount of VO2max you can maintain for say 20-40 minutes, correlates better. Alberto Salazar had a lower VO2max than other runners but a higher %VO2max. If you take two swimmers who are otherwise equal, the one with the higher %VO2max should win. I emphasize equal and should. I do believe in the concept of muscle memory, thus technique learned as a youth is still there as an adult. And I think that technique is learned much better at a younger age (watch kids learning to ski). On the other hand, I have a hard time understanding how any of the physiological adaptations to exercise will still exist after a fifteen to twenty year break from the sport. The difference between a lifelong swimmer and a late starter may be that the technique of the former allows for the more efficient transfer of energy. Technique determines which muscle fibers will see an increase in capillaries, mitochondria, enzymes, etc.