Swimming World Presents “Swimming Technique Concepts – The Value of Hand Force Analysis Part IV: Freestyle”

Swimming World January 2020 - The Value of Hand Force Analysis Part IV Freestyle Rod Havriluk

The latest issue of Swimming World Magazine
is now available for download in the Swimming World Vault!

Non-Subscribers Can Download This Issue Here

Swimming Technique Concepts
The Value of Hand Force Analysis Part IV: Freestyle

By Rod Havriluk

The first three articles in this series (Part I—Butterfly, Part II—Backstroke and Part III—Breaststroke) presented information about the value of using hand force analysis to reinforce positive technique elements and identify limitations. The current article includes more general information about force analysis with a freestyle example.

For nearly 50 years, scientists have reported technique limitations identified by hand force analysis. As early as 1979, Schleihauf’s findings on hand force prompted him to say that “even the techniques of successful veteran competitors can be adjusted.”

More specifically, Maglischo et al. (1984) showed that U.S. Olympians typically had two peak forces within a stroke cycle and lost more than 50% of their force between the peaks. In 1988, Schleihauf et al. analyzed the hand force of Olympic champion Rowdy Gaines and showed that he generated a trivial amount of force for the first 25% of the underwater motion, and then had fluctuations similar to the swimmers in the Maglischo study.

The hand force curves of elite swimmers over the last two decades show remarkable consistency in revealing technique characteristics.

The results from the 2002 Takagi & Sanders study and the 2019 Samson, Monnet, Bernard, Lacouture & David study are adjusted for hand force as a percent of peak force and for time as a percent of the stroke cycle.

The data from both studies show four prominent features: a minimal amount of force at the beginning of the stroke, a rapid increase in force near the middle of the stroke, a force loss in the second half of the stroke and another increase in force near the end of the stroke.

To access the complete study analysis of hand force in freestyle strokes,
Check out the full issue of Swimming World July 2020, available now!

[PHOTO CREDIT: IAN MACNICOL]

Get Swimming World Magazine and Swimming World Biweekly FREE When You
Become A Member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame

Want More? Subscribe With This Special 2-Year Offer!

New! 1-Year Digital Only Subscription for just $39.95 Order Now!

Non-Subscribers Can Download This Issue For $5.94

Swimming World Magazine July 2020 Issue

FEATURES

017 A NEW HOPE
by Dan D’Addona
The COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the globe and changed the lives of everyone in the world. Now, there is some light at the end of the tunnel as the world struggles to find normalcy again.

020 ISHOF: “CALLING ALL TROUBLEMAKERS”
by Bruce Wigo
Sprinters are a different breed of swimmer. They’re not just free spirits, but they seem to be rule breakers and troublemakers who also are catalysts for positive change. In the first of a two-part feature, Swimming World takes a look at the stories of two of the most well-known female sprinters who fit this image: Dawn Fraser and Eleanor Holm.

023 GREAT SCOT(T)
by David Rieder
Scotland’s Duncan Scott should be an Olympic medal threat next year in the 100 and 200 free and maybe even the 200 IM, and he will be a key cog for British 800 free and 400 medley relays with gold medal aspirations.

026 TAKEOFF TO TOKYO: A STAR OF SWIMMING…AND HOLLYWOOD
by John Lohn
The latest installment of our Takeoff to Tokyo series looks at the career of the legendary Johnny Weissmuller, one of the first stars in the sport, and then a Hollywood hero.

COACHING

012 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: THE VALUE OF HAND FORCE ANALYSIS: PART IV—FREESTYLE
by Rod Havriluk
The first three articles in this series (Part I—Butterfly, Part II—Backstroke and Part III—Breaststroke) presented information about the value of using hand force analysis to reinforce positive technique elements and identify limitations. The current article includes more general information about force analysis with a freestyle example.

014 AEROBIC OVERLOAD: VOLUME REVISITED (Part 2)
by Michael J. Stott
Last month, Swimming World examined the role of volume in aquatic training. This month, some of America’s most successful swimmers share how volume shaped their development.

042 Q&A WITH COACH TOM JOHNSON
by Michael J. Stott

044 HOW THEY TRAIN EMILY OVERHOLT AND MARKUS THORMEYER
by Michael J. Stott

TRAINING

011 DRYSIDE TRAINING: THE NEED FOR STRENGTH
by J.R. Rosania

JUNIOR SWIMMER

046 UP & COMERS: ZACH TOWER
by Shoshanna Rutemiller

COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS

008 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT

010 THE OFFICIAL WORD

019 DID YOU KNOW? NO TO TOPLESS BATHING; HIGH DIVING; AND FIRST FULLY AUTOMATIC ELECTRONIC TIMING SYSTEM

029 2020 AQUATIC DIRECTORY

041 DADS ON DECK

047 GUTTERTALK

048 PARTING SHOT

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

Name*

Email*

1 Comment

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Nick Lizalde

3 years ago

Cory Lizalde