Superman glide vs. Streamlined glide

[TIJoe]

Originally Posted by tab

At the end of TIJoe's words this caught my attention. Is there some connection to open water in comparison to pool water where there are different pressures present with may cause the body to float differently than while in the pool? Does open water direct more pressure on the body or is this a myth? Do we float differently in open water? How about breathing patterns? That question may be off topic.

Not sure how you reached such a conclusion. I thought it was because Terry was trying to demonstrate how to spear steeper to get better balance in his teaching video. But when he swims in his normal stroke in open water, he spears a lot flatter. Same with Shinji in his most popular youtube video, many on this forum have commented he did not seem to spear that deep.

[cynthiam]

Originally Posted by tab

At the end of TIJoe's words this caught my attention. Is there some connection to open water in comparison to pool water where there are different pressures present with may cause the body to float differently than while in the pool? Does open water direct more pressure on the body or is this a myth? Do we float differently in open water? How about breathing patterns? That question may be off topic.

If your open water swimming is in saltwater like mine is, you're more buoyant (I don't use a wet suit & am more buoyant than in the pool). I don't spear as deeply in ow, partly because of the increased buoyancy and partly because it tends to be at least a little choppy where/when I swim. I find that really extending and holding a patient lead hand a bit shallower really helps in chop. And it's easier to breathe.

I also breathe more frequently in ow -- usually every 2, sometimes every 3. I'm not sure if I could breathe less frequently in warmer water. Mine's usually somewhere in the 50's F, maybe as warm as 61. In the pool right now (82 degrees F) I'm experimenting with every 4, though I usually need to throw in another breath by the end of 25m.

[Burger]

Originally Posted by tab

At the end of TIJoe's words this caught my attention. Is there some connection to open water in comparison to pool water where there are different pressures present with may cause the body to float differently than while in the pool? Does open water direct more pressure on the body or is this a myth? Do we float differently in open water? How about breathing patterns? That question may be off topic.

From what I know salt water is more denser than pool water. it all relates to the volume per weight of water that your body needs to displace. If the volume per weight of your body is equal or lesser than water then youll float easily. So if water is more denser because of the salt. Then the more easier youll float.

Heres a simple illustration of that concept:

http://homepage.eircom.net/~kogrange..._saltyegg.html

Beside from salt content, water also becomes dense as the temperature becomes lower. colder the water the more dense it becomes. I think most OW water is cold to start with.

[tab]

Sorry for the side tracks, curious though it is. Yes, colder water is dense, in the winter it is so dense even I can float on it, get this, standing up with steal blades on my feet. So, we typically float better in open water, due to water temps. Could help explain the spearing differences seen, or in part.

[TIJoe]

Originally Posted by tab

Sorry for the side tracks, curious though it is. Yes, colder water is dense, in the winter it is so dense even I can float on it, get this, standing up with steal blades on my feet. So, we typically float better in open water, due to water temps. Could help explain the spearing differences seen, or in part.

Sorry, but surely Shinji's, Ian Thorpe's or Michael Phelps' videos were all shot in pools? :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJpFVvho0o4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eReW2...2624B63353A659

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax77_hHq9Dc

[Rincewind]

Personally I cant even do the streamline glide properly due to lack of shoulder flexibility, when I try and interlock my hands like you are supposed to and straighten my arms at the same time I feel like it puts a lot of strain on my shoulders, neck and upper back.

And even when I finally power myself into that position my arms are still not fully aligned with my back.

[westyswoods]

Rincewind,

Flexibility is very much an individual plus or minus. So many factors enter into it, age, injuries, gender and the list can go on.

Being 65 years old I have many of the above. Recently a chronic shoulder problem started to become more troublesome. A PT friend of mine looked at me and flat told me, " You have to loosen up, your shoulders, back and upper body are just too tight for good shoulder flexibility." This in turn causes the impingement of your shoulder and da da da.

At the time on this forum there was a discussion about the same and I followed a link to USA swim. They have a great site with exercises to strengthen the shoulders and give flexibility. They are simple, don't require any equipment, (tennis ball and therabands).

When I first started it was, WOW I am stiff and tight. They hurt, it was slow going to prevent injury, but I was amazed at how well they worked and within a week I could tell a noticeable difference.

The big plus is the shoulder pain has mostly gone and a bonus being my lead arm is able to come into a greater streamline with the body than before.

I don,t know how to point you to the post hopefully someone will jump in.

I hope this helps

Swim Silent and Be Well
Westy
Try them or go to USA swim site

[Rincewind]

Is it this?

http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewMiscA...702&ItemId=700

[westyswoods]

Yes it is the link. I've been pleasantly surprised with how much I've gained. My Pt told me to follow the technique and not to worry about what you have or how far you can go. If it hurts stop and back off some.

Hope it works for you.

Swim Silent and Be Well
Westy

[TIJoe]

Originally Posted by Rincewind

Is it this?

http://www.usaswimming.org/ViewMiscA...702&ItemId=700

When I open this link, no pictures are displayed in my browser (all red crosses). You guys don't have the same problem?