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
"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.
I notice that someone finally had the good sense and logic to discuss OW. Personally, in the off season I do a lot of SPL stuff in the pool. Then, as it closer to fun time, I shift to some SR stuff. Because, as Islandsox said, you have to be able to do both SPL and SR in the open water, which is a mercurial, dangerous and challenging medium.
"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.
I notice that someone finally had the good sense and logic to discuss OW. Personally, in the off season I do a lot of SPL stuff in the pool. Then, as it closer to fun time, I shift to some SR stuff. Because, as Islandsox said, you have to be able to do both SPL and SR in the open water, which is a mercurial, dangerous and challenging medium.
