Question

LIIVIIVI an example of biomechanical analysis of swimming velocity velocity (m/s) velocity (m/s) 0,4 0,6 0,8 1,4 1,6 1,8 0 0,5 1 2,5 3 3,5 1 1,2 Stroke frequency (Hz) 1,5 2 Stroke length (m)

1. Which of these two is the best option? To stroke with a 0.6 mts stroke or a 3.8 mts stroke.

Answer 1

Answer storke with 3.8 mts is best option

​​​​​​Explanation

Stroke rate and stroke length are intertwined, therefore, focusing on both parameters in the right way will result in an increased swimming speed. The graphs below show the relation between stroke rate, distance per stroke and speed. When increasing stroke rate your distance per stroke will gradually increase. However, from a certain level your distance per stroke will deteriorate again. This is because, from a certain point while increasing your stroke rate and speed, your arm movements will start to go from long and efficient, to short and inefficient. This is the turning point from which your speed will start to. The reason being is that because of the short and uncontrolled arm strokes you make, your stroke will start to ‘slip’ through the water, losing grip. By losing grip your stroke length decreases gradually. As stroke length and stroke rate need to be multiplied in order to get your swimming speed, from a certain point speed will start to decrease as slipping gets worse.