I have been looking at this article on estimating baseline stroke counts
www.usaswimming.org/.../ViewMiscArticle.aspx
I have relatively short arms and the method produces quite a high stroke count. It does make quite difference though whether I measure wrist to wrist as suggested or (say) finger tip to finger tip.
Does anyone have a view on whether the method suggested produces reasonable targets?
Thanks,
Namor
May I suggest that you simply count your strokes and then try to see how many fewer you can do by stretching/reaching, keeping a high elbow, front quadrant swimming etc.
If it takes you 28 strokes to swim 25 yards, see if you can get it down to 21. Someone will correct me if I am wrong, but top Masters swimmers are probably going 12 freestyle strokes per length or better (depending upon speed and underwater breakout of course.)
Glenn is correct. While an estimate may be derived using a formula as suggested in the article. What's the point, start with where you are at and work on lowering that number to something reasonable. Remember that tempo should not suffer for the sake of DPS.
My stoke count is 11 per 25 but if I really focus on a 15 meter SDK I bet I can get that down to 4-6 strokes per length but speed would suffer.
It really depends on too many factors such as streamline, flexibility, catch, kick, strength, arm length, height, etc. A formula may approximate it but I don't think it serves much use for most masters swimmers. :2cents:
I like the way the article ended.
From Jonty Skinner's Article:
By cutting out one stroke per lap at all training intensity levels, you could begin the slow process of adapting to a higher level of racing efficiency. However although there is a very high correlation between efficiency at low and high velocity, just working on Distance Per Stroke won’t get the job done. A coach should always balance elements of efficiency and tempo work into their practice, and allow the athlete to adapt to a variety of loads during the development phase of the season.
May I suggest that you simply count your strokes and then try to see how many fewer you can do by stretching/reaching, keeping a high elbow, front quadrant swimming etc.
If it takes you 28 strokes to swim 25 yards, see if you can get it down to 21. Someone will correct me if I am wrong, but top Masters swimmers are probably going 12 freestyle strokes per length or better (depending upon speed and underwater breakout of course.)
Glenn is correct. While an estimate may be derived using a formula as suggested in the article. What's the point, start with where you are at and work on lowering that number to something reasonable. Remember that tempo should not suffer for the sake of DPS.
My stoke count is 11 per 25 but if I really focus on a 15 meter SDK I bet I can get that down to 4-6 strokes per length but speed would suffer.
It really depends on too many factors such as streamline, flexibility, catch, kick, strength, arm length, height, etc. A formula may approximate it but I don't think it serves much use for most masters swimmers. :2cents:
I like the way the article ended.
From Jonty Skinner's Article:
By cutting out one stroke per lap at all training intensity levels, you could begin the slow process of adapting to a higher level of racing efficiency. However although there is a very high correlation between efficiency at low and high velocity, just working on Distance Per Stroke won’t get the job done. A coach should always balance elements of efficiency and tempo work into their practice, and allow the athlete to adapt to a variety of loads during the development phase of the season.
