How much endurance training?

When a certain technique is employed by the vast majority of world-class swimmers; is that a fad? Well, Dave, as you might have noticed if you actually read (rather than just reacted to) my post, I wasn't claiming anything was a "fad." I was just referencing GoodSmith's thread and his opinion. Nothing more. So you might answer your own question and educate us all. Having not thought deeply about this topic, I would say off the top of my head that some things are more fad-y than others. I'm sure all world class swimmers are good streamliners, and streamlining has been around forever. But other things are a bit faddish, like breaststroke. First it's flat, then it's wave action, then it's windshield wiper, then it's high like Amanda Beard, then it's low like Leisel, then the dolphin kick is added, etc. I seem to recall a discussion in the GoodSmith's thread that front quadrant swimming might be a bit faddish or more suitable for some distances than others. Butterfly has gone from undulating to flat. The debate about the relative importance of propulsion vs. drag reduction continues to evolve. I also thought GoodSmith was discussing changes over time, not just your question of "when a certain technique is employed by the vast majority of world-class swimmers; is that a fad?" I guess theoretically it could be if the next generation of world-class swimmers were employing a different technique.

When a certain technique is employed by the vast majority of world-class swimmers; is that a fad? Well, Dave, as you might have noticed if you actually read (rather than just reacted to) my post, I wasn't claiming anything was a "fad." I was just referencing GoodSmith's thread and his opinion. Nothing more. So you might answer your own question and educate us all. Having not thought deeply about this topic, I would say off the top of my head that some things are more fad-y than others. I'm sure all world class swimmers are good streamliners, and streamlining has been around forever. But other things are a bit faddish, like breaststroke. First it's flat, then it's wave action, then it's windshield wiper, then it's high like Amanda Beard, then it's low like Leisel, then the dolphin kick is added, etc. I seem to recall a discussion in the GoodSmith's thread that front quadrant swimming might be a bit faddish or more suitable for some distances than others. Butterfly has gone from undulating to flat. The debate about the relative importance of propulsion vs. drag reduction continues to evolve. I also thought GoodSmith was discussing changes over time, not just your question of "when a certain technique is employed by the vast majority of world-class swimmers; is that a fad?" I guess theoretically it could be if the next generation of world-class swimmers were employing a different technique.