Kinesthetic Awareness versus Cognitive Analysis
Usually, I like to stay as
far away as possible from
the "technique" debate. Honestly,
I'm surprised to find myself right
back in the thick of it. I guess
that's understandable considering
how obsessed swimmers are with the
importance of technique. Truthfully,
this debate has nauseated me in the
past for one simple reason.
Swimming is a feeling, not a thought.
It is a kinesthetic awareness, and cannot
be fully understood through cognitive
analysis alone.
We can try and describe the mechanics
involved, but does that idea actually
translate into personalized physiological
adaptation?
Generally speaking, I don't think so.
That's why I prefer training models that
teach the body to feel, opening up a
different kind of thinking. Your muscles
have memory, and your body has intuitive
capabilities. Literally, getting "in touch"
with the water is more likely to deliver
the results you're looking for.
Words like flow, feel, pressure, resistance,
or anything that enhances tactile
understanding. These words are more likely to
enable transference of information into the
swimming action.
The fact is, everyone has different strengths
and weaknesses, and these should be targeted
on a case by case basis. I would never ask
Phelps to swim like Nystrand, or vice
versa. (or a younger version of the two)
Which is why the technique debate appears
to be flawed from the start. The question is,
what works best for you? Sure, there are
general rules, but to get the most out
of your swim you have to reach a personal
level. You need to pay attention to forward
motion and an over-all sense of flow.
If you're one of those people that absolutely
"needs" to think technique during your swim,
I suggest trying the checklist method. In other
words, think of 5-6 things you'd like to work
on and go through the checklist on a regular
basis. Continually move in your mind from one
point to the other, don't localize in one spot
for too long. This ensures that you don't get
"stuck" on one aspect of your swim, and this
method can actually trick your mind into a
kinesthetic state.
Good luck and happy swimming,
Jonathan R. Miller
Different people need to learn differently.I agree swimming is a very kinethetic experience,but there are lots of ways to swim slowly that feel good.It helps me to know why it's best to do things a certain way.
Very true, Jonathan. I always enjoy your insights.
I often find myself trying for certain feelings in the water that are difficult to describe in words. Even if I could describe the feelings in words, those words would be interpreted differently by different people. So I could say, "I get the feeling that when I'm really sprinting well, my kick lets me glide on the surface." Not everybody will necessarily relate to that the way I do. And maybe in a few months I will have to reach for an entirely different sensation in order to swim my fastest.
I'd be curious as to what the majority of swimmers would say in regards to "how they learned" or "how they refined this or that stroke." ... As in, are you an auditory, visual, or kinesthetic learner? I suspect it's a combination, but maybe for some, one type dominates. Or maybe it evolves, as in - we hear or see instruction, try it, and by doing it we react to the sensations.
Obviously, I don't know about others, but if watching and then trying worked for me, I'd be a world class swimmer by now. It turns out that watching has little value on its own, and neither does repeated "trying." I have to watch, try, and then have my attempt corrected by outside feedback over and over again in order to make the tiniest of changes. Unfortunately, the external feedback is not only useful but critical for me, which suggests I have very little kinesthetic awareness because I need to be told what I'm doing rather than feeling it myself-- and that lack is the main reason I never even tried to participate in athletic endeavors as a child: I was always a terrible kinesthetic learner. In that regard, however, I expect that I'm less the rule than the exception among masters swimmers.
I'd be curious as to what the majority of swimmers would say in regards to "how they learned" or "how they refined this or that stroke." When teaching, we're supposed to say, show, demonstrate the same thing several different ways to try and reach as many different learning styles as possible. Maybe we could poll swimmers as to which learning style they thought was the most dominant? As in, are you an auditory, visual, or kinesthetic learner? I suspect it's a combination, but maybe for some, one type dominates. Or maybe it evolves, as in - we hear or see instruction, try it, and by doing it we react to the sensations. I should stop now as I'm rambling. Good post though.
:groovy:
Obviously, I don't know about others, but if watching and then trying worked for me, I'd be a world class swimmer by now. It turns out that watching has little value on its own, and neither does repeated "trying." I have to watch, try, and then have my attempt corrected by outside feedback over and over again in order to make the tiniest of changes. Unfortunately, the external feedback is not only useful but critical for me, which suggests I have very little kinesthetic awareness because I need to be told what I'm doing rather than feeling it myself-- and that lack is the main reason I never even tried to participate in athletic endeavors as a child: I was always a terrible kinesthetic learner. In that regard, however, I expect that I'm less the rule than the exception among masters swimmers.
Good point. I can read and hear about technique, but until I try it out it's not very clear to me. I'm probably on the kinesthetic learning side, although I certainly accept and respond to outside coaching/instruction. I've also found that (nothing new here) when correcting technique, initially the "feeling" feels way off and unnatural, and it takes time to adjust to the "new, correct" sensation.
:applaud::groovy:;):applaud::groovy:;)
True for me as well. I spent the first 10 or so years of my swimming experience kinesthetically clueless. I had the chance to observe from the deck -- and more importantly to experiment with athletes -- the fog gradually began to lift.
Terry Laughlin,
Excellent to make your acquaintance, you are a pillar of knowledge in the swimming world. I really liked your reply to this thread, and I'm looking forward to learning more from you. I can relate to the lifting of the fog analogy.
Where is New Paltz NY? I'm very far away, but it is really neat that we can network through this forum, and meet each other.
My dreams are near to your reality.
Happy swimming,
Jonathan R. Miller
Very true, Jonathan. I always enjoy your insights.
Thanks, you know Jazzy, you might want to make the most of your youth by trying to understand your elders.
Stay open-minded about your options....
I challenge you to do this program for the next two years.
forums.usms.org/showpost.php
INCLUDING THE WATER WORK-OUTS IN THE THREAD.
Also, try the ankle stretches, and core routine...
You will smash your life-time best through this program...
Obviously, I don't know about others, but if watching and then trying worked for me, I'd be a world class swimmer by now. It turns out that watching has little value on its own, and neither does repeated "trying." I have to watch, try, and then have my attempt corrected by outside feedback over and over again in order to make the tiniest of changes. Unfortunately, the external feedback is not only useful but critical for me, which suggests I have very little kinesthetic awareness because I need to be told what I'm doing rather than feeling it myself-- and that lack is the main reason I never even tried to participate in athletic endeavors as a child: I was always a terrible kinesthetic learner. In that regard, however, I expect that I'm less the rule than the exception among masters swimmers.
Echo, you could have been describing me! I have no natural athletic ability whatsoever. In school I was always at the top of the class academically, with no effort. But I flunked the President's physical fitness test every year.
I'm still painfully slow compared to most Masters swimmers. But I am healthy and physically fit, thanks to swimming!
Anna Lea
