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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Any drastic improvement in times, that are not attributable to drastic improvement in fitness can be considered as an improvement in swimming Efficiency.
SolarEnergy may be right. However, the 1500 time improvements by the triathletes may be a result of an increase in BOTH efficiency and conditioning. How would you possibly separate the two?
The point brought up by LindsayNB and the videos is a good one--min. strokes per length does not necessarily mean max efficiency or produce max speed. The Swim Smooth videos and SolarEnergy suggest that everyone has an optimum and unique stroke rate/distance per stroke. Stroke counting helps find it.
I would suggest that it's not a static number but subject to change due to better swim technique and/or better conditioning.
Any drastic improvement in times, that are not attributable to drastic improvement in fitness can be considered as an improvement in swimming Efficiency.
SolarEnergy may be right. However, the 1500 time improvements by the triathletes may be a result of an increase in BOTH efficiency and conditioning. How would you possibly separate the two?
The point brought up by LindsayNB and the videos is a good one--min. strokes per length does not necessarily mean max efficiency or produce max speed. The Swim Smooth videos and SolarEnergy suggest that everyone has an optimum and unique stroke rate/distance per stroke. Stroke counting helps find it.
I would suggest that it's not a static number but subject to change due to better swim technique and/or better conditioning.
