A Learning Channel special on Lance Armstrong showed how he spent hours perfecting his aerodynamic position on the bike. Computers would analyze the drag caused by Lance's different positions on the bike and the bike itself(i.e.his body caused 2/3 of the total drag). All of this testing to save maybe 1 or 2 percent drag. Of course, in the Tour De France the few seconds time differential could be the difference between a win or loss.
So how could you test your own hydrodynamic position in the water and would it be worthwhile? I imagine one could push off the pool wall and try different positions of head,arms,torso,legs, and feet and find the ONE position that allows you to go the farthest. Persumably, that would be your most hydrodynamic or slippery.
Or, I suppose if you had an Endless Pool, you could tether a swimmer to some kind of force gauge that would measure the energy required to keep the swimmer stationary at a certain flow level. Then try different positions of head, arms, torso, legs, and feet to find which position requires the least amount of force to stay stationary.
Intuitively, one would think that a head down, straight torso, hips, legs, and pointed toes would be most hydrodynamic but not necessarily so.
How does that hydrodynamic position change when a swimmer breathes. Again, is one position more slippery than another and is it different for everyone? How would you test it?
I don't have answers--only questions. Any one aware of studies or empirical data?
One of the major factors that differentiates OW from pool swimming is that absence of walls. It's ALL swimming without the few seconds of recovery every 25 yds or meters. That makes economy and relaxation a huge difference-maker.
Terry,
Just out of curiosity, are you able to quantify the difference. I've done 3 lake swims (2-1 mi. and a 2.7 mi.) and I've noticed a difference of about 5 min. or more / mile but I'm not sure if it's because of the time gained on turns or if it is just my inexperience in OW swimming or both. And should there be that much of a difference?
One of the major factors that differentiates OW from pool swimming is that absence of walls. It's ALL swimming without the few seconds of recovery every 25 yds or meters. That makes economy and relaxation a huge difference-maker.
Terry,
Just out of curiosity, are you able to quantify the difference. I've done 3 lake swims (2-1 mi. and a 2.7 mi.) and I've noticed a difference of about 5 min. or more / mile but I'm not sure if it's because of the time gained on turns or if it is just my inexperience in OW swimming or both. And should there be that much of a difference?
