I see no basis for this statement. Fat old elite swimmers who havn't done more than lift a beer for 20 years can hop in the pool and swim a couple fast 50s or 100s. Fast being relative to a typical trained non-ex-elite master.
What would logically explain this? They are completely out of shape, but can still attain above average speeds. Would this be base developed years ago that they are still drawing from?
No, it is technique. Swimming is like riding a bicycle. You get a little rusty, but you never forget. Better technique is what allows them to become elites in the first place. I have to disagree a little bit here.
Swimming is far more difficult than riding a bicycle. Far more complex than running, but yet, this principle applies to these endurance cyclic disciplines as well.
In fact, it is even more striking on the bike I find. Those old 50-60yo farts that were competitive cyclists at earlier age? They drive a lot of youngsters completely nut. If you want to make an idea for yourself, next time you ride your bike, try to hold 40kmh (25mhp) for an hour. These old guys can do this, with minimal training.
The only strong basis for my statement is that if you're training hard while your body is still growing, you won't grow the same way you would have if no training at all. Definitely not.
Take a 12yo kid. Teach him how to swim. Then get him to commit to daily training that includes hard aerobic capacity sets, hard everything. Their cardiovascular functions will develop in accordance to this sustain and prolonged training stress, most definitely. That is just to mention the cardiovascular functions. Now think about the whole body. Articulations, muscle structures, mental strength, nervous system (centra/peripheral) etc...............
BTW, this is why I believe that it is a crime to over specialize a young age grouper. Got a talented fast twitched sprinter that starts to cry in front of a 200m event? Get him to swim the 200/400/800/1500, at least until he reaches the youth ag category.
To answer your last question, yes the Base factors in Economy. And since Economy is greatly affected by swim technique, then we can state that Base factors in technique. A swimmer with better technique will be able to pile in more mileage at same energy costs.
I see no basis for this statement. Fat old elite swimmers who havn't done more than lift a beer for 20 years can hop in the pool and swim a couple fast 50s or 100s. Fast being relative to a typical trained non-ex-elite master.
What would logically explain this? They are completely out of shape, but can still attain above average speeds. Would this be base developed years ago that they are still drawing from?
No, it is technique. Swimming is like riding a bicycle. You get a little rusty, but you never forget. Better technique is what allows them to become elites in the first place. I have to disagree a little bit here.
Swimming is far more difficult than riding a bicycle. Far more complex than running, but yet, this principle applies to these endurance cyclic disciplines as well.
In fact, it is even more striking on the bike I find. Those old 50-60yo farts that were competitive cyclists at earlier age? They drive a lot of youngsters completely nut. If you want to make an idea for yourself, next time you ride your bike, try to hold 40kmh (25mhp) for an hour. These old guys can do this, with minimal training.
The only strong basis for my statement is that if you're training hard while your body is still growing, you won't grow the same way you would have if no training at all. Definitely not.
Take a 12yo kid. Teach him how to swim. Then get him to commit to daily training that includes hard aerobic capacity sets, hard everything. Their cardiovascular functions will develop in accordance to this sustain and prolonged training stress, most definitely. That is just to mention the cardiovascular functions. Now think about the whole body. Articulations, muscle structures, mental strength, nervous system (centra/peripheral) etc...............
BTW, this is why I believe that it is a crime to over specialize a young age grouper. Got a talented fast twitched sprinter that starts to cry in front of a 200m event? Get him to swim the 200/400/800/1500, at least until he reaches the youth ag category.
To answer your last question, yes the Base factors in Economy. And since Economy is greatly affected by swim technique, then we can state that Base factors in technique. A swimmer with better technique will be able to pile in more mileage at same energy costs.
