In swimming, how is it that one can excel in both sprints and long distance? Is it because the distance games in swimming are only "relatively" distance games but are not really distance games from a physiologic perspective?
In the world of tracks, for example, an athlete cannot excel at both sprints and distance. Even the athletes from the two areas look different - much leaner for the distance runners and muscular for the sprinters.
I am wondering about this because whether I should focus on either the sprint or the distance as I plan to participate in the masters meet, or whether I don't have to sacrifice one for the other.
We used say sprinter = 50, 100 or 200, middle distance = 200, 400 or 800, distance = 800, 1500 or more. Marathons 10mi or more.
I found very little difference just in the training and conditioning.
George.....I think the biggest change I've seen in swimming the last few years is that the 200 and even the 500(400) are now "sprints". Thorpe and now Phelps both utilizing strong 6 beat kicks and in Phelps case attacking turns w/7 underwater dolphin kicks have redefined these distances.
Mr. Nelson is correct.....I think "test" swims especially the 200 are a good way to start to figure out what your natural physiology is.....other factors like vertical jump, reaction time testing, power/strength tests via bench press, etc. can all help....
We used say sprinter = 50, 100 or 200, middle distance = 200, 400 or 800, distance = 800, 1500 or more. Marathons 10mi or more.
I found very little difference just in the training and conditioning.
George.....I think the biggest change I've seen in swimming the last few years is that the 200 and even the 500(400) are now "sprints". Thorpe and now Phelps both utilizing strong 6 beat kicks and in Phelps case attacking turns w/7 underwater dolphin kicks have redefined these distances.
Mr. Nelson is correct.....I think "test" swims especially the 200 are a good way to start to figure out what your natural physiology is.....other factors like vertical jump, reaction time testing, power/strength tests via bench press, etc. can all help....
