I do several stretches pointed out as no-nos in that article. I have a little routine that I always do, much of which I borrowed from Janet Evans' book. But after reading that I'm thinking I might just quit stretching altogether.
:confused:
Parents
Former Member
Unless I miss some pages, this article is very incomplete as:
- it doesn't provide with any valid reason for condemning typical swimmer stretching exercises
- it talks about the importance of stretching the shoulder articulation but yet doesn't provide one single stretching exercise to achieve this. The only 3 recommended exercises target pectorals, lats and trapezius respectively
As to the importance of stretching? Well for anyone that feels it is not important, just don't do them. Get in the pool and swim.
That said though, stroke mechanics improvements (the real ones) are often somehow restricted by one's flexibility level. Freestyle EVF, Butterfly shallow catch (where the hands end up being higher than the shoulders on arm entry) to name only these can not be developed to their optimal level without dedicated stretching routines. To a certain (and rather large) extent, supplementary dry land exercises for instance involving swim cords are mandatory to get these issues cleared as well.
Ankles flexibility is probably insufficient too, for the majority of master swimmers out there. That explains in big part why some many hate endless kicking sets.
Unless I miss some pages, this article is very incomplete as:
- it doesn't provide with any valid reason for condemning typical swimmer stretching exercises
- it talks about the importance of stretching the shoulder articulation but yet doesn't provide one single stretching exercise to achieve this. The only 3 recommended exercises target pectorals, lats and trapezius respectively
As to the importance of stretching? Well for anyone that feels it is not important, just don't do them. Get in the pool and swim.
That said though, stroke mechanics improvements (the real ones) are often somehow restricted by one's flexibility level. Freestyle EVF, Butterfly shallow catch (where the hands end up being higher than the shoulders on arm entry) to name only these can not be developed to their optimal level without dedicated stretching routines. To a certain (and rather large) extent, supplementary dry land exercises for instance involving swim cords are mandatory to get these issues cleared as well.
Ankles flexibility is probably insufficient too, for the majority of master swimmers out there. That explains in big part why some many hate endless kicking sets.
