Stroke Rate vs Stroke Length, which is more difficult?
Former Member
This topic may have been discussed in the past but a search gave too many hits. I am very interested by your comment and advices for the following real scenario. This is for kids but may be this could apply to masters. BTW, I am just a parent swimmer, very interested in swimming in general but unfortunately not a good enough swimmer.
Two age group swimmers (11-12 years old) coming from different swimming history have opposite swimming style:
Swimmer 1 (let's call the higher stroke rate swimmer) swims 50 meters freestyle, taking 60 strokes. Swimmer2 does it in 45 strokes, with a time 0.5 to 1 second slower.
In general, Swimmer1 beats Swimmer2 in all distances (freestyle and back). Including a 2000 meter freestyle test set, faster by about 20 seconds. In this particular 2000m, aside the time and stroke rate, Swimmer2 (slower stroke rate) did it with even splits while Swimmer1 positive splits toward the last 25% of the distance.
Q1. Assuming two swimmers have similar aerobic conditions, which one will have better margin of progression? More exactly, would it be "easier" for Swimmer1 to improve the technique or for Swimmer2 to improve the Stroke Rate?
Q2. What would you recommend to these swimmers to get better?
To these two swimmers, stroke rate seems to be the winning bet. Swimmer2 was taught with a focus on excellent technique (and indeed looks better in the water), but is confused as this skill doesn't translate into better performance.
Of course, we are talking about SL and SR relative to a context where the swimmers already know about swimming.
Thanks you in advance for your help.
Parents
Former Member
As we are all pondering the answer to the proverbial question: SPL or SR, I want to add one thing. Is this a short distance that is being analyzed, or a longer event? Or is the question simple: the distance matters not, just the same two swimmers with different stroking capability to cover that distance.
If you push aside a swimmer's anatomy and only look at the complex question of SPL or SR, my first thought is SPL if, IF, that swimmer not only grabs that water and has the ability to keep it and not lose it for said distance. Not only will that swimmer possibly pull away from the swimmer with high SR, but the swimmer with SPL will not use as much energy nor oxygen along the swim. Conservation of energy can be seen when a swimmer overtakes another swimmer in a race who may have been slightly behind.
A better question is how low should a SPL be? For me it is always between 11 and 13 each 25 meters. Always. And I am traveling mighty quickly with what seems to be an effortless stroke to people watching it. Lots is going on underwater and my stroke is always finished completely. But I still pay a price for this so-called "effortless stroke."
Also, density of water may come into play even though I believe you are speaking of freshwater or chlorine. Open water swimming is a whole new ballgame. SPL is important until an OW swimmer hits current and tide. Then, higher SR and solid kick changes the ballgame entirely as a person must tack and sprint to get across that current's mile or two mile path and back into smoother, non-moving water. And sprinting for me means a less SPL and a higher SR. Thus, in OW, SPL works well UNTIL, and then a swimmer must change gears into high SR and increased kick.
Just my :2cents: worth.
Donna
As we are all pondering the answer to the proverbial question: SPL or SR, I want to add one thing. Is this a short distance that is being analyzed, or a longer event? Or is the question simple: the distance matters not, just the same two swimmers with different stroking capability to cover that distance.
If you push aside a swimmer's anatomy and only look at the complex question of SPL or SR, my first thought is SPL if, IF, that swimmer not only grabs that water and has the ability to keep it and not lose it for said distance. Not only will that swimmer possibly pull away from the swimmer with high SR, but the swimmer with SPL will not use as much energy nor oxygen along the swim. Conservation of energy can be seen when a swimmer overtakes another swimmer in a race who may have been slightly behind.
A better question is how low should a SPL be? For me it is always between 11 and 13 each 25 meters. Always. And I am traveling mighty quickly with what seems to be an effortless stroke to people watching it. Lots is going on underwater and my stroke is always finished completely. But I still pay a price for this so-called "effortless stroke."
Also, density of water may come into play even though I believe you are speaking of freshwater or chlorine. Open water swimming is a whole new ballgame. SPL is important until an OW swimmer hits current and tide. Then, higher SR and solid kick changes the ballgame entirely as a person must tack and sprint to get across that current's mile or two mile path and back into smoother, non-moving water. And sprinting for me means a less SPL and a higher SR. Thus, in OW, SPL works well UNTIL, and then a swimmer must change gears into high SR and increased kick.
Just my :2cents: worth.
Donna
