Swimming: Turnover vs. Force
653
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201 days
TriSooner posted 7 weeks ago.
burnman wrote:
My guess is "No" because I've always heard about how important low stroke count is. I could be way wrong though. Swimming is my neglected training step child that always get the hand-me-down minutes that it's big brother 'running' and mean sister 'cycling' don't use.
My pace isn't suffering, but I'm wondering if the high turnover logic of running and cycling carry over to long distance swimming?
Ironman Germany (July 6, 2008)
74
Member
67 days
azmojo804 posted 7 weeks ago.
I would guess "no" also...I personally think that there is a limit to the turnover/power ratio.
I also think that there are also a LOT of efficiencies lost when going to a high turnover. Like you said, there's a limited range of motion when you're going for a higher turnover. This will probably be less efficient when going through the water (maybe taking away some speed).
Also, I know that if I go too high in turnover (just for fun when messing around in a pool), I get burnt out faster.
Just my .02.
29
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58 days
thesonicson posted 7 weeks ago.
I would also agree with a "no". Common sense would tell me; more efficiency per stroke = better long distance performance. I prefer to have a slower, stronger pull with emphasis on the second half of your pull (or i as think of it more of a push) .
13
Member
54 days
Trisport posted 7 weeks ago.
Straighter arm, deep pulling is technique used by swimmers that are sprinters. Bent elbows are used by distance swimmers. That said, try a 45 degree elbow bend when your pulling arm is at the point of your chest. If it's bent more than that your hand and forearm will be too close to your chest and you'll lose leverage and just be "spinning your wheels." Make sure that when your hand enters the water you extend and roll. This will increase your glide and make you hydrodynamic on your extension. While you're extending and rolling with your lead arm, create a quick 'whipping' action with your hand and arm exiting the water. A lot of athletes w/o a swimming background stop their stroke once their hand and forearm are under their bodies and don't follow through with this whip.
Lastly, this is probably the unsung hero for stroke efficiency: don't cross your body with your hands/forearm. Imagine a line that extends between your legs and runs between your eyes. Don't cross it. If you do you're wasting energy and making your body wiggle left to right, instead of cutting straight ahead.
If you do this, your cadence should just be tailored to the distance of the swim and your comfort level.
89
Member
289 days
burnman posted 7 weeks ago.
Good feedback folks. Just to refresh, I'm not choosing to use a higher turnover over a slower, efficient stroke . The physical limitations in my shoulders don't permit me to use a longer stroke, and my "shortened" stroke is weak to the point that it requires a higher turnover just to keep pace. Sounds like no one is comfortable with the higher stroke count, so I'll be putting in my extra time in the pool to see if I can make it work. Thanks all.
Does anyone favor a freestyle stroke with a higher turnover/weaker pull? Traditionally, I favored a deep, powerful pull with my arm and pull hand running almost in a line with the outside of my body. Now, my shoulder anatomy only permits me to pull with my elbow bent, hand tight to my torso, running between my eyeline and my hip (imagine pulling yourself up at the edge of the pool). Basically, I'm limited to this range of motion due to a variety of abnormalities in my shoulders, and the severe pain that comes from irritating them. Problem is that my pulling force is diminished in this configuration, forcing me to use an additional 10-12 strokes per 100yd. Obvious math says that to go at the same rate as before, I now need to increase my turnover by anywhere from 4-6 strokes per minute. I've done this for up to 1200yds without any excess fatigue, but it feels horribly inefficient. I've replaced a strong pull, smooth glide with a fast, weak pull, try-not-to-come-to-a-dead-stop glide. My pace isn't suffering, but I'm wondering if the high turnover logic of running and cycling carry over to long distance swimming? My pool is closed for the week, so I can't do any long distance work. Advice?