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.

Possible answer: They don't know any better! Actually I would take a guess that it has to do with their body hydrodynamics - thin slender body not much resistance so they don't need massive muscle strength to move through the water.

is this the most lengthy post ever on this forum?

Thanks Paul for a breath of fresh air..... Your statement about zen swimming and gliding in the water has a lot a value that I think a lot of us ignore. I know from our workouts together you have a great understanding of the water and you work with it..... On another note.... I cannot believe the amount of conflict in this thread. Everyone has their point of view, but no one seems to learn anything from anyone. There are a million ways to improve ones swimming ability and no one way is greater than any other way. In the thirty plus years I have been swimming and coaching. The times I improved the most were the times I was challenged in my beliefs and actually tried a different way. Sometimes it worked, other times it failed. One must be aware of how they can implement new ideas into what they already believe. Ion, your statements have challenged many of my beliefs in swimming. It is a fruit that is bitter to eat, but I will try it even if I hate the taste. Keep up the banter people... it keeps my work life enjoyable.

Originally posted by lefty Here is my hand extended (insert drawing of hand). Shakes Lefy's hands and gives him a big hug for being such a good sport :D

Dennis: Well stated. I am surely one of the offenders on this forum for attacks and, well, I think the person they are directed at gets what he deserves. I have to disagree with your statement about no one learns anything from anyone. With one major exception, this forum is chock full of great info, much of it I have applied. Sometimes it's hard to apply a lesson when it's phrased in a way that is more personal attack than constructive suggestion.

I have a 10 year old girl who is not fast -36 on the 50 free, but since I am at meets, I see the 10 year old girls who do the kind of times that are sighted. 99% of the time they tower over and weigh much, much more than my 10 year old who is 4-10 and 70 pounds. When you see phenominal times in a 10 year old child, chances are physically they are way ahead of their peers. I have seen some exceptions, one being a young man from Wisconsin who is now 11. He is a tall kid for his age, but he also has a tremendous feel for the water, which has translated to him having great technique and therefore great times. I don't hold much water for 10 and under phenoms, if they don't burn out before 13, then show me what they are doing, and yes I know the Phelps was one of these. Which brings up a point, how big was he at 10, pretty big I think.

I always said 'yes' to this: Originally posted by kaelonj Ion - have you ever thought of politics, you are pretty good at avoiding the question, or better yet let me rephrase it If there is a swimmer out there who did not swim during those optimum growth years (13 to 19 yrs of age) yet can still be considered a successful Masters swimmer (posting a top ten USMS time) then your VO2 theory/excuse is bogus. If I can't find someone who falls into this criteria then your claim is credible. ... Jeff never avoided it, providing that it is in men 40 to 44.

Originally posted by Ion Beza The rotary style becomes such at at least 90 degrees. TI doesn't address this, TI says to bring both arms in front (0 degrees) before one starts to pull. The border between the two styles must be somewhere, and arbitrarily is set at 90. Ion, once again you have criticized someone else for your own misunderstanding. I dug up an old copy of TI, and found this: FQS (front quadrant swimming) means always keeping one or the other of your hands in the front quadrant. ... Leave your right hand out in front while the left is stroking, then begin stroking the right just as the left returns to the front quadrant, and so on. Let's see... If my right hand is out in front, and my left hand has just passed my shoulder to enter the front quadrant, that is almost 90 degrees, not 0. That may explain why you had trouble swimming fast while teaching yourself (with incomplete knowledge) Total Immersion.

Why just age 40-44 ; how about someone younger or older, obviously if someone did it at say age 35 or 55 they still did it, which means it is possible at any age, would you agree ?