I submit that swimming is one of the worst sports in terms of following fad techniques simply because someone has been successful using that technique.
I submit that talent or genetics, aerobic capacity, workout intensity as well as mental toughness play a far greater roll than mere stroke technique in the end.
Seems like the US latches on to the winner's stroke techniques all too often as the way explain success and teach kids. Front quadrant swimming like Ian Thorpe..... head down sprinting like Popoff..... these guys would be successful in their events with or without these techniques in my opinion.
Except for the latest cheating techniques...... i.e. flip turns on backstroke, underwater dolphin kick on backstroke, head under on breastroke, full body suits, and the soon to be dolphin kick on breastroke pull outs, the sport has not improved a whole lot in the last 25 years.... especially when you compare it to 25 years previous to 1980..... (1955)
Thought for the day...... :-)
John Smith
Parents
Former Member
I'd probably make 2 of those 1000s on that send off and collapse at my age. Then again I've lived his life twice over.... :-) I was mostly a middle distance man in college. I usually went about 12-14K per day plus weights or dryland. Only in the summers did I venture in the mid teens on a single days yardage back then. However, there were guys like Erik Vendt that could handle that kind of brain drain back then too.
Interesting to see this style of training as it closely reflects the Brian Goodell and Salnikov training mentality of the 70s and 80s. Mega yardage for the D-man does not necessarily guarantee success, but it sure as hell develops background.
John Smith
I'd probably make 2 of those 1000s on that send off and collapse at my age. Then again I've lived his life twice over.... :-) I was mostly a middle distance man in college. I usually went about 12-14K per day plus weights or dryland. Only in the summers did I venture in the mid teens on a single days yardage back then. However, there were guys like Erik Vendt that could handle that kind of brain drain back then too.
Interesting to see this style of training as it closely reflects the Brian Goodell and Salnikov training mentality of the 70s and 80s. Mega yardage for the D-man does not necessarily guarantee success, but it sure as hell develops background.
John Smith
