How Science Can Be Used to Promote Faster Swimming; Competitive Swimming Needs Radical Change
By Rod Havriluk
If a swimmer was asked about his/her:
- Index of Coordination (quantifies arm coordination),
- Active drag coefficient (quantifies technique),
- Intracycle velocity variations (identifies general technique limitations),
- Intracycle hand force variations (identifies specific technique limitations),
- Symmetry index (identifies technique and muscular imbalances),
- Stroke cycle phase times (identifies necessary changes in the stroke cycle), or
- Exposure time to shoulder stress (identifies changes to reduce shoulder injuries),
…would he/she have an answer? Unfortunately, it is unlikely.
Yet, each measurement above can make a substantial difference in performance for every swimmer – including the world’s fastest. Combined, these measurements can make an unbelievable difference. So, what’s the reason these measurements are not a regular feature of every swimming program? There are many likely answers.
Two Possible Answers are Related to Team Operation:
- Training time. Most teams have more than one coach, which would allow one coach to deal with measurements while the other coach conducts a training session. If there is only one coach, there might be a reduction in training distance. However, recent research has shown the value of training less total distance. The team training priorities need to change.
- Although teams don’t generally have a budget item for scientific measurements, most teams can organize a fundraiser. (Four of the seven measurements only require minimal funds for an underwater camera for data capture). The team financial priorities need to change.
Two Possible Answers are Related to External Input:
- Coach Training. Coaches are not usually trained to collect, calculate, and interpret the measurements listed above. In addition, coach training options for the measurements are limited, as most national and international swimming associations do not provide anything more than a superficial treatment of scientific information. The emphasis of swimming associations needs to change.
- There are many convincing presentations of ineffective technique on the Internet. It is tempting to adopt an Internet “quick fix” as opposed to using a more tedious, but accurate, measurement procedure. The available information needs to change.
Two Possible Answers are Philosophical Issues:
- Coach Goal. Generally, the goal of coaches is to help swimmers swim faster than the competition, but the ultimate goal is for swimmers to swim as fast as humanly possible. The goal of coaches needs to change.
- The swimming culture favors conventional wisdom (e.g., replicating the technique of the fastest swimmer) over scientific knowledge (e.g., replicating an optimal technique). The conventional wisdom is likely the path of least resistance. The mindset of the swimming culture needs to change.
Competitive swimming (teams, associations, information, coaches, culture) needs radical change for swimmers to reach their full potential. Swimming World is committed to addressing the issue of how science can improve the sport. In future articles, Swimming World plans to feature an expert responsible for each measurement. These experts will explain how the data for each measurement is captured, how it is explained to a swimmer, and how it can improve swimming performance.
Dr. Rod Havriluk, a longtime contributor to Swimming World, is a sport scientist who specializes in swimming technique instruction and analysis. He consults in-person and remotely, year-round and worldwide. His ebooks, courses, software and videos are available at swimmingtechnology.com. Contact Rod through info@swimmingtechnology.com.