Freestyle over time - long or quick strokes?

[harling]

I thought it would be interesting to compare swimming styles over time among the elite.

1980 Olymics 400m final http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZyGY...0157E295A0FE8E

2000 Ian Thorpe 400m http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_FwRjBC8Io

2010 European Championships 400m http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf_w56Y2iPU

Apart from the difference in times, the thing that struck me most about the 1980 video was how fast their arms were spinning for 400m, and how it seemed a bit more frenetic, but maybe it is just my imagination. The biggest change is modern swimmers seem to be smoother and set up the catch at the front of their bodies more.

Modern swimmers look more balanced in the water, more streamlined and set up their catch better. They don't have "long or quick strokes" they have "long and quick stokes". That is streamlining matters a lot, and so does good feel for the water, to set up an efficent engagement with the pull.

[arunks]

Thanks for the videos.I liked the 2nd video.Thorpe looks so graceful.

[swimmermike]

Great comparison videos--made more so by the fact that the race length is the same.

The 1980s recovery was higher out of the water, and in recent years there is more swimming "on the side," gliding, such as it is, at this speed. As a result, and it's most evident in the Thorpe video, the fastest swimmers really do take fewer strokes, something Terry has written a lot about. Thorpe's stroke length is clearly longer than his nearest competitors.

Thanks for the posting.

[swim2Bfree]

Originally Posted by swimmermike

the fastest swimmers really do take fewer strokes

And taller swimmers take fewer strokes than shorter swimmers.

[che9194]

Originally Posted by swim2Bfree

And taller swimmers take fewer strokes than shorter swimmers.

SO not true! And here is video proof for the skeptics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1q1y...e_gdata_player

[CoachJohnB]

Originally Posted by che9194

SO not true! And here is video proof for the skeptics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1q1y...e_gdata_player

Hate to burst your bubble, but Shaq is not a trained swimmer. Your video doesn't counter Swim2Bfree's comment.

[rbs24h]

I would be shocked if he posted that video as a serious "counter". Just good fun.

[rbs24h]

Originally Posted by swimmermike

the fastest swimmers really do take fewer strokes, something Terry has written a lot about.

Maybe more accurately, some of the fastest swimmers take fewer strokes. Or in a particular race, the winner can actually use fewer strokes. But the fastest swimmers are certainly not always the ones taking the fewest strokes.

[rbs24h]

Thanks for the 400m race videos by the way. Really interesting to watch.

[che9194]

Originally Posted by CoachJohnB

Hate to burst your bubble, but Shaq is not a trained swimmer. Your video doesn't counter Swim2Bfree's comment.

Actually my post was just an attempt at a little humor. But Shaq is definitely a trained swimmer. If you look closely at the video you will clearly see that he keeps a copy of a USMS rule book in his swim trunk pocket!

For those (in the US) who are old enough, the whole segment reminded me of the Battle of Network Stars from the 70's and 80's. If you have never seen the show before, check out this classic swimming relay race. At 3:35 Howard Cosell is definitely all in screaming 'MARK HARMON, a great athlete. Watch that flip turn. MARK HARMON off by himself. What a magnificent stroke!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FqZFsWDx88