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
Well, the early 1970's they were swimming less because goggles just became available. It wasn't unit about 1974 that swimmers were doing the 15,000 to 20,000 yard workouts. In 1968 many top swimmers didn't do even 30,000 a week,no goggles. I think that the winner of men's 200 meter fly in 1968 did a 2:06 and in 1976 a 1:59. Today's swimmers swim more yardage than those in 1968 and many in 1972 but probably less those in 1977.
Well, the early 1970's they were swimming less because goggles just became available. It wasn't unit about 1974 that swimmers were doing the 15,000 to 20,000 yard workouts. In 1968 many top swimmers didn't do even 30,000 a week,no goggles. I think that the winner of men's 200 meter fly in 1968 did a 2:06 and in 1976 a 1:59. Today's swimmers swim more yardage than those in 1968 and many in 1972 but probably less those in 1977.
