This is from one of my favorite current swimming exprets, Brent Rushhall of San Diego State University.
www-rohan.sdsu.edu/.../table.htm
Parker, J. (1989). Wiping your swimmers out. Swimming Technique, May-July, 10-16.
The process of the destruction of muscle (rhabdomyolysis) is commonly found in runners, particularly after completing a marathon. There is little evidence that rhabdomyolysis causes performance decrement. Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme found in muscle cells which catalyzes the formation of phosphocreatine from creatine and ATP. It is not normally found in the blood in large quantities unless muscle cells have been damaged. Increased CK activity is a marker for excessive strain.
In one day, an elite swimmer burns more calories than a runner in a marathon. Since many swimmers train at least 3-5 hours a day six days per week, a great strain is placed on their bodies. Muscle degeneration could result from consistent exercise at elevated intensities. Muscle problems can exist with degeneration and inflammation occurring while discomfort is tolerable (low pain). Overuse injury syndrome is frequently seen in "swimmer's shoulder" (a pathology of the rotator cuff) and "breaststroker's knee" (injury to the medial colateral ligament and/or medial patellar facet due to the highly unusual action in the breaststroke kick). Possible other causes are protein and iron deficiencies, the oxidative capacity of muscle cells, and glycogen stores. Psychological conditions result in "burn-out."
Implication. The threat of overtraining can be reduced without it affecting the performance of the athlete. Yardage can be reduced and the training stimulus changed to interval work of greater quality and less volume.
". overtrained runners do not lose their conditioning, but they may demonstrate a deterioration in running form. . . .overtraining may cause some local muscular fatigue through selective glycogen depletion, forcing runners to alter their mechanics to achieve the same pace."(p. 198)
Lot more interesting stuff at:
www-rohan.sdsu.edu/.../table.htm
I sometimes think from reading these posts on weight lifting that it is more important to women than men. Without weight lifting, I don't think I would be able to swim. Keeping all the big and little muscles strong in my shoulders have enabled me to handle the swimming work load. Something Connie said hit home about those little muscles. Since I have some rotator cuff issues from playing ball, and have had them for a long, long time, long before I swam, I have always done the little exercises the PT gave me all those years ago, and it helps.
Lifting also keeps my weight under control. Swimming is great exercise, great calorie burner, and yes, if I want to be a better swimmer, I have to swim, but weight training is important. I would bet most college programs have their swimmers on some form of weight training and dryland training.
I sometimes think from reading these posts on weight lifting that it is more important to women than men. Without weight lifting, I don't think I would be able to swim. Keeping all the big and little muscles strong in my shoulders have enabled me to handle the swimming work load. Something Connie said hit home about those little muscles. Since I have some rotator cuff issues from playing ball, and have had them for a long, long time, long before I swam, I have always done the little exercises the PT gave me all those years ago, and it helps.
Lifting also keeps my weight under control. Swimming is great exercise, great calorie burner, and yes, if I want to be a better swimmer, I have to swim, but weight training is important. I would bet most college programs have their swimmers on some form of weight training and dryland training.
