Swimming Technique Misconception: Propulsion

propulsion
Photo Courtesy: Swimming World Magazine

Swimming Technique Misconception: Propulsion

A number of sources have stressed the importance of minimizing resistance to swim faster. An increase in propulsion may, however, be an even more important key to swimming faster. This article explains how one of the world’s fastest sprinters can adjust a critical technique limitation to increase propulsion and swim much faster.

By carefully examining the different stages of the freestyle pull and where the elbow is situated, Dr. Havriluk demonstrates that even an elite sprinter can make improvements to their technique that increase propulsion. To learn more about propulsion and how to adjust the elbow during the pull phase check out the October issue, available now!

Dr. Rod Havriluk is a sports scientist and consultant who specializes in swimming technique instruction and analysis. His unique strategies provide rapid improvement while avoiding injury. Learn more at the STR website, or contact Rod through info@swimmingtechnology.com.

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030 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE MISCONCEPTIONS: PROPULSION
by Rod Havriluk
A number of sources have stressed the importance of minimizing resistance to swim faster. An increase in propulsion may, however, be an even more important key to swimming faster. This article explains how one of the world’s fastest sprinters can adjust a critical technique limitation to increase propulsion and swim much faster.

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Joshua Fairfax
8 years ago

Jackie Beach

Jackie Beach
8 years ago
Reply to  Joshua Fairfax

Hey. Yeh will have a read

Joshua Fairfax
8 years ago
Reply to  Joshua Fairfax

thought it was relevant to what we were discussing last night

William Van Straaten
8 years ago

Link is not working

Rod Havriluk
8 years ago

The link works now. Thanks for letting us know.

Samantha Burdess
8 years ago

Gabby Burdess

Lyn 'Lulu' Johnson
8 years ago

why are so many swimmers now using straight arms on freestyle??

Rod Havriluk
8 years ago

Lyn,
Really good question. It’s unfortunate that straight arm freestyle has become so popular. Check previous issues of Swimming World for info about the misconceptions of both a straight arm pull and a straight arm recovery.
Rod
Swimming Technology Research

http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/swimming-technique-misconception-freestyle-straight-arm-pull/
http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/freestyle-straight-arm-recovery/

Ronald Hehn
8 years ago

When the arm is straightened it engages the scapula to utilize back and shoulder muscles; a bent arm-pull utilizes arm muscles (i.e. bicep, triceps, forearm), which are much smaller and less powerful, according to my experience and observation.

In addition, in the spirit of this article, a bent arm might cause more drag. Perhaps this is food for thought…

Rod Havriluk
8 years ago
Reply to  Ronald Hehn

Ronald
The muscles that control the upper arm are similarly activated regardless of the angle at the elbow. The main difference is that there is much better leverage with elbow flexion, and therefore, more propulsion with the same muscular effort.

A straight arm is more likely to increase drag because of downward motion after the arm entry and upward motion at the end of the push.

Rod

Erich Richardson
8 years ago

using large muscles for sprint makes sense, but not for long races as lactic acid buildup would increase very quickly in anything over 20-40 sec.

Ronald Hehn
8 years ago

Erich Richardson It depends on the level of exertion. If an athlete exerts themselves beyond the available oxygen supply, the activity becomes anaerobic and lactate will develop regardless of muscle group.

There may be an evolutionary theory as to why humans started to walk upright rather than on all-fours (i.e. if you believe the monkey-to-man theory). Gravity also plays a roll, as the smaller extremities (i.e. arms) may not have the vascular connection of the larger ones (i.e. legs). However, gravity may be less of a factor in water, in which the body functions in hypo-gravity (i.e. less than on-land gravitational forces). In any case , you are correct, the size of the muscle vs. lactate build-up must be considered.

Compare the size of leg muscles vs arm muscles; the best trained athletes can run for a longer time than anyone can do pushups. Legs are a larger muscle group, but it’s more about the vascular connection, how immediate is the blood supply?

The question is: Could the back and shoulder have a more immediate vascular connection than the arms? This is probably a question for Swimming Science.

Ronald Hehn
8 years ago

The drag coefficient increases exponentially with propulsion. No human can create enough propulsion to overcome the drag created by sacrificing efficiency in order to do so. Consider terminal velocity.

Rod Havriluk
8 years ago
Reply to  Ronald Hehn

For most swimmers, the drag coefficient is almost constant over the typical range of swimming velocity. The drag force, however, increases with the square of velocity.

A “terminal velocity” for swimming has not been accurately determined. Check the September issue of SW.
http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/maximum-velocity/

Ingrid Weber
8 years ago

oh man….so many coaches….so many different ways to approach a stroke….AAARRRGGGHH!

Rod Havriluk
8 years ago
Reply to  Ingrid Weber

Yes, there are so many different technique recommendations! Unfortunately, many are based on misconceptions. That’s why I am writing this series of articles.

James Hooper
8 years ago

The link just tells you to go buy the magazine, so don’t worry about it.

Jimmy Chong
8 years ago
Reply to  James Hooper

Haha..u are right…

Rod Havriluk
8 years ago
Reply to  James Hooper

James
The links go to previous issues of SW. If you have a subscription, you can access over 20 misconceptions articles.
Rod

Kathleen Larson Radloff

Lacey Lorraine Radloff

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