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
Larry,
For a newcomer to swimming, my hat is off to you. You and I are thinking along the same lines because swimming higher with hip rotation and not shoulder roll do provide more speed for a swimmer and the times in history so state this. And using EVF (vertical arm on catch), just completes the picture. Now, having said that, many people choose to swim many different ways because for them it feels "right." And for swimming to feel "right", it has to be recognized as a good, solid swimming theory.
Many are still debating over whether swimming low in the water is best; I suppose time will tell. The other issue is whether swimming with a slight hydroplane causes more shoulder injuries; and the jury is still out on that one. The debate over this is still ongoing with many people believing both methods are best.
I, too, have thought about whether the portion of the stroke after the hip is of benefit or not. It does prevent that higher stroke rate, but does it have value in and of itself? For me it does because it is my triceps, not wrist/forearm doing the work. And I have shortened up my stroke to gain a higher strokerate and my swimming times just don't improve that much by stopping the stroke at the waist/high hip; I have to completely finish the stroke.
I hope that others here will jump in and discuss what works for them; the more ideas the better for many experiences are useful in the decision-making about these things.
Donna
Larry,
For a newcomer to swimming, my hat is off to you. You and I are thinking along the same lines because swimming higher with hip rotation and not shoulder roll do provide more speed for a swimmer and the times in history so state this. And using EVF (vertical arm on catch), just completes the picture. Now, having said that, many people choose to swim many different ways because for them it feels "right." And for swimming to feel "right", it has to be recognized as a good, solid swimming theory.
Many are still debating over whether swimming low in the water is best; I suppose time will tell. The other issue is whether swimming with a slight hydroplane causes more shoulder injuries; and the jury is still out on that one. The debate over this is still ongoing with many people believing both methods are best.
I, too, have thought about whether the portion of the stroke after the hip is of benefit or not. It does prevent that higher stroke rate, but does it have value in and of itself? For me it does because it is my triceps, not wrist/forearm doing the work. And I have shortened up my stroke to gain a higher strokerate and my swimming times just don't improve that much by stopping the stroke at the waist/high hip; I have to completely finish the stroke.
I hope that others here will jump in and discuss what works for them; the more ideas the better for many experiences are useful in the decision-making about these things.
Donna
