I was cruising the Internet last night and somehow got on the subject of straight-arm recovery (SAR). You know, like Janet Evans and a few other prominent swimmers. The most recent being YouTube - Swimming - Go Swim Straight Arm Freestyle with Scott Tucker.
From what I read, SAR may help to reduce shoulder strain in older swimmers (i.e., me) and those with less flexible shoulders, so I gave it a try this morning just for fun.
I have to say, I like it better than high-elbow. I did several 25 sprints using both techniques and found I wasn't any slower using SAR, and I might actually be slightly faster.
The thing I was really struck with is how effortless it felt to swim SAR as compared to high-elbow (for me anyway), and I also found my pull to be more complete. With high-elbow, I have a tendency to shorten my stroke a little bit and not follow-through completely. With SAR, this isn't the case for me.
I was just curious as to how many others in Masters-land regularly swim using straight-arm recovery.
I have switched to a more straight arm recovery as well. My shoulders aren't hurting anymore. I have more of a side arm swing than an over the top swing.
I am able to swim comfortable again for various distances. Still working on gaining speed and endurance with the stroke but it is a lot better than when I was swimming with a high elbow style recovery
Well, it looks like I'm in some pretty good company (you, Elaine-iak, Chris, and gdanner). :agree:
I've always been a side arm swinger myself, which is why I switched to high elbow about 6 months ago, with the hope of improving my speed. Switching did result in an increase in my speed and DPS, but it's not worth having a "touchy" right shoulder.
After experiementing with SAR for the past week, I'm now of the mindset that I'm probably more of a side arm swinger because this is how my 55-year old anatomy works best. :) But, SAR seems very natural to me and feels much more effortless. It'll be fun to see how it all adds up over time.
I have switched to a more straight arm recovery as well. My shoulders aren't hurting anymore. I have more of a side arm swing than an over the top swing.
I am able to swim comfortable again for various distances. Still working on gaining speed and endurance with the stroke but it is a lot better than when I was swimming with a high elbow style recovery
Well, it looks like I'm in some pretty good company (you, Elaine-iak, Chris, and gdanner). :agree:
I've always been a side arm swinger myself, which is why I switched to high elbow about 6 months ago, with the hope of improving my speed. Switching did result in an increase in my speed and DPS, but it's not worth having a "touchy" right shoulder.
After experiementing with SAR for the past week, I'm now of the mindset that I'm probably more of a side arm swinger because this is how my 55-year old anatomy works best. :) But, SAR seems very natural to me and feels much more effortless. It'll be fun to see how it all adds up over time.
