Two swimmers test their blood lactate and they are at the same level. One swimmer holds a 60 sec/100 pace and the other holds 75 sec/100 pace, is it fair to say swimmer one is swimming more efficiently, or are there other factors such as physiology at play? Can the swimmer with higher lactate still actually be swimming more efficiently, yet be generating the higher lactate numbers?
How do you pinpoint where a swimmer's physiology is limiting their performance and not their technique?
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Just trying to figure out my biggest shortcoming so I can focus on it, or at least be aware of it. Not sure if it is conditioning, technique or a combination of both. I'm talking primarily free here.
Ande and others,
Do you ever compare heart rate and heart rate recovery with your lanemates during a workout? What would your peak heart rate be and how quickly does it recover. I would assume the higher the heart rate the better and the quicker the recovery the better.
I haven't ever compared to lane mates. Though I have tracked my own heart rate recovery. I'm sure you could compare how long it takes to come down to resting heart rate but you could not use the exact numbers because of the different max and resting heart rates between individuals.
Yes, you are correct. Part of being in good shape is the ability to return to a "calm" heart rate after an intense swim (high heart rate).
I'm always trying to refine some small piece of my stroke and simultaneously improving conditioning. I think you have to chip away at both little by little.
The beginning of a season is a good time to concentrate more on technique than conditioning. Also, as you get in better shape your technique will be easier to change and improve.
Just trying to figure out my biggest shortcoming so I can focus on it, or at least be aware of it. Not sure if it is conditioning, technique or a combination of both. I'm talking primarily free here.
Ande and others,
Do you ever compare heart rate and heart rate recovery with your lanemates during a workout? What would your peak heart rate be and how quickly does it recover. I would assume the higher the heart rate the better and the quicker the recovery the better.
I haven't ever compared to lane mates. Though I have tracked my own heart rate recovery. I'm sure you could compare how long it takes to come down to resting heart rate but you could not use the exact numbers because of the different max and resting heart rates between individuals.
Yes, you are correct. Part of being in good shape is the ability to return to a "calm" heart rate after an intense swim (high heart rate).
I'm always trying to refine some small piece of my stroke and simultaneously improving conditioning. I think you have to chip away at both little by little.
The beginning of a season is a good time to concentrate more on technique than conditioning. Also, as you get in better shape your technique will be easier to change and improve.
