Swim smooth has an interesting pair of videos that makes the argument that minimizing strokes per length isn't the same thing as maximizing efficiency. Janet Evans and Laure Manaudou are cited as examples of swimmers with high strokes per length and a faster turnover. Elite triathletes with shorter strokes are also cited. The idea is not to advocate everyone use a shorter stroke but just to say that if a shorter stroke works for you don't throw that away in pursuit of lower strokes per length.
I wonder if swimming with a shorter stroke and higher turnover is analogous to using a lower gear when cycling (spinning versus grinding). People generally acknowledge that the optimal gear to use will vary from individual to individual. Extrapolating from that line of reasoning, perhaps elite swimmers using longer strokes do so because they have greater strength/more power that allows them to use a longer stroke/higher gear rather than because they worked on lengthening their strokes (although the two are clearly related).
YouTube- Swim Smooth: What Is An Efficient Freestyle Stroke? Part 1
YouTube- Swim Smooth: What Is An Efficient Freestyle Stroke? Part 2
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Neither. The only way to measure true efficiency is via testing oxygen/energy usage at a given speed for a given distance. I know what you mean here. I have to agree to a very large extent here.
However, there's an other very simple and logical way to assess improvement in Swimming Efficiency for beginners to intermediate swimmers. Any drastic improvement in times, that are not attributable to drastic improvement in fitness can be considered as an improvement in swimming Efficiency.
I'm currently helping a bunch of intermediate level triathletes to improve over 1500. Most sets are designed to improve technique/pure speed. Most candidates have improved by more than 2min so far. Most report being able to swim much faster with less efforts. That is improvement in Swimming Efficiency. No need for lab testing here. Lab testing would only be required to Quantify this improvement.
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That said, in order to better assess your improvement in Swimming Efficiency, you have to count your strokes. How many of you can claim being aware all the time, no matter the set duration and intensity and complexity, including racing situations, how many can claim being aware of the stroke count?
Then once you are used to be aware of your stroke count (at any time in any situation), you have to evaluate the change in DPS by assessing the duration of the glides prior turns. Then you're set. You're in a position to find your DPS/Stroke Rate optimal balance.
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Lindsay, yes this paradox can be compared with Cycling Gear/Ratio. However, we have to bare in mind that swimming is a Glide based cyclic activity. We (like speed skater, or skiers) benefit a lot from overgearing whilst training (that is, swimming most slowish volume on a stroke count diet).
Performing base mileage on a severe stroke count diet remains the best way to develop race pace specific muscle attributes whilst booking lower intensity mileage. I don't think that this approach is an option for cyclist or runners (these guys don't glide).
Neither. The only way to measure true efficiency is via testing oxygen/energy usage at a given speed for a given distance. I know what you mean here. I have to agree to a very large extent here.
However, there's an other very simple and logical way to assess improvement in Swimming Efficiency for beginners to intermediate swimmers. Any drastic improvement in times, that are not attributable to drastic improvement in fitness can be considered as an improvement in swimming Efficiency.
I'm currently helping a bunch of intermediate level triathletes to improve over 1500. Most sets are designed to improve technique/pure speed. Most candidates have improved by more than 2min so far. Most report being able to swim much faster with less efforts. That is improvement in Swimming Efficiency. No need for lab testing here. Lab testing would only be required to Quantify this improvement.
- - - -
That said, in order to better assess your improvement in Swimming Efficiency, you have to count your strokes. How many of you can claim being aware all the time, no matter the set duration and intensity and complexity, including racing situations, how many can claim being aware of the stroke count?
Then once you are used to be aware of your stroke count (at any time in any situation), you have to evaluate the change in DPS by assessing the duration of the glides prior turns. Then you're set. You're in a position to find your DPS/Stroke Rate optimal balance.
- - - - -
Lindsay, yes this paradox can be compared with Cycling Gear/Ratio. However, we have to bare in mind that swimming is a Glide based cyclic activity. We (like speed skater, or skiers) benefit a lot from overgearing whilst training (that is, swimming most slowish volume on a stroke count diet).
Performing base mileage on a severe stroke count diet remains the best way to develop race pace specific muscle attributes whilst booking lower intensity mileage. I don't think that this approach is an option for cyclist or runners (these guys don't glide).
