In threads where training philosophy comes up, discussions of TRIMPS and TSS and other training models occasionally intrude. These models are not very well known, and even more poorly understood, so probably SolarEnergy, qbrain and I are just talking to each other and killing threads in those conversations. In any case, I figured I would present a brief overview of what it is that we're talking about when this terminology starts showing up.
Best case, this will introduce these models to the subset of swimmers (or coaches) who would be interested enough to use them, but didn't previously know enough to do so.
Plus, even if you're not the type to be interested in quantifying your training, it can be useful to think about workouts in this general framework.
And, at the very least, this might serve as a place to discuss some of the details without worrying about driving those other threads too far off-topic.
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On this forum, qbrain has posted another point system that uses velocity as a proxy for power. The intensity used to calculate his "energy points" is merely velocity cubed, which is propotional to power. This calculation is fairly simple: each rep earns a certain number of points based on the interval time, with no weighted averages required. For example, you'd earn 100 points for every swimming 100 SCY in 1:27, while swimming 100 SCY in 1:02 would earn you 200 points. These points are not easily transferable other sports, however.
It is not proportional to power, but is proportional to energy. Unless you consider it acceptable for a time variable to be in the multiple.
After going through this exercise, it is obvious that I suck at explaining my ideas. The two people who cared enough to read it didn't follow my explanation, but the concept is simpler than TRIMPS, which neither of you had any problem with.
So I will shut up now.
On this forum, qbrain has posted another point system that uses velocity as a proxy for power. The intensity used to calculate his "energy points" is merely velocity cubed, which is propotional to power. This calculation is fairly simple: each rep earns a certain number of points based on the interval time, with no weighted averages required. For example, you'd earn 100 points for every swimming 100 SCY in 1:27, while swimming 100 SCY in 1:02 would earn you 200 points. These points are not easily transferable other sports, however.
It is not proportional to power, but is proportional to energy. Unless you consider it acceptable for a time variable to be in the multiple.
After going through this exercise, it is obvious that I suck at explaining my ideas. The two people who cared enough to read it didn't follow my explanation, but the concept is simpler than TRIMPS, which neither of you had any problem with.
So I will shut up now.
