Running. Does it help your swimming or is it an interesting diversion? A lot of people here seem to cross train with running. (Some are obviously triathletes). USS teams now have their swimmers running. But does running really help swimming?
For me, I'm not so sure. I think it helps a bit on the cardio side and may build leg strength. I do it to tighten everything up, because I like being outside and it gives my shoulders a break. But I'm not sure I wouldn't be better off with more pool time if my body could take it.
One only needs to make a quick search on the Internet to find medical journal (or page through JSMs) articles on core stabilization, lactate threshold, building/maintaining of fast twitch muscle fibers, etc.... Running sprints helps with all of these things.
Perhaps, but this is a straw man argument. The thread's question is poorly worded. If you compare running (sprint or otherwise) with sitting on a couch, then the running will probably help your swim performance.
But let's say you are swimming 5X a week (or whatever). Would giving up (say) two of those practices and devoting them to running instead improve your swim performance? I say no, not if your swim training is well designed.
All of the things shahboz mention can be done in the water, and many of the resulting adaptations are sports-specific.
I can believe that sprint running will help explosiveness off the blocks and walls. I don't think it will help kicking much at all; I've seen far too many excellent runners who are poor kickers to believe that. I also don't believe it will help at all with pulling.
All in all, in my opinion, I think there are better options for cross-training to improve swimming (weights, rowing, and cycling all come to mind).
But generally I agree with Joshua: if you like it and have had success, go for it. Guarding against burnout is important: you'll train harder if you enjoy what you are doing. I hate running but I know many who love it above any other form of exercise.
And there are other reasons to cross-train: injuries or limited pool access, for example. It is probably better for overall fitness, too.
One only needs to make a quick search on the Internet to find medical journal (or page through JSMs) articles on core stabilization, lactate threshold, building/maintaining of fast twitch muscle fibers, etc.... Running sprints helps with all of these things.
Perhaps, but this is a straw man argument. The thread's question is poorly worded. If you compare running (sprint or otherwise) with sitting on a couch, then the running will probably help your swim performance.
But let's say you are swimming 5X a week (or whatever). Would giving up (say) two of those practices and devoting them to running instead improve your swim performance? I say no, not if your swim training is well designed.
All of the things shahboz mention can be done in the water, and many of the resulting adaptations are sports-specific.
I can believe that sprint running will help explosiveness off the blocks and walls. I don't think it will help kicking much at all; I've seen far too many excellent runners who are poor kickers to believe that. I also don't believe it will help at all with pulling.
All in all, in my opinion, I think there are better options for cross-training to improve swimming (weights, rowing, and cycling all come to mind).
But generally I agree with Joshua: if you like it and have had success, go for it. Guarding against burnout is important: you'll train harder if you enjoy what you are doing. I hate running but I know many who love it above any other form of exercise.
And there are other reasons to cross-train: injuries or limited pool access, for example. It is probably better for overall fitness, too.
