CADENCE IN SWIMMING
Cadence in swimming has the same parameters as cadence in
running. But compare to running, in swimming we have to consider
the addition of body of water to the equation and that changes
things slightly. For example, muscles' elasticity kicks in
at 180 or higher in running, but in swimming muscles' elasticity
doesn't work quite the same, while it is undoubtedly present
and working, it's effect is somewhat muted because of the
presence of water in which the body has to move.
So what is the ideal cadence for swimming? There is no ideal,
but there is an optimal cadence that we could strive for.
In past and current literature on swimming, the cadence observed
and described is anywhere between 20-80 spm (strokes per minute).
Top swimmers operate in the range of 45 to 65 spm. Michael
Phelps works with cadence of 45 to 55 depending on the distance.
But if you put him along side an amateur with the same cadence,
M. Phelps will leave the poor guy behind in no time. How can
he move faster with the same cadence? His perception of support
is far more advanced. A perception of support in water taught
in Pose Swimming is something vaguely called a "feel
for the water" when swim coaches instruct their athletes
and tell them to develop one. But because there is no precise
definition of "feeling for the water", athletes
are left working on that mysterious "something",
where in Pose Swimming there are drills that teach what the
"feel for the water" is.
In Pose Method, swimmers are taught to focus and work on
developing a perception of support first and then cadence
and other stuff. Cadence and consequently speed strongly depend
on individual's ability to change support. Trying to achieve
a particular cadence in swimming comes only after a good perception
of support and change of support in water is achieved. Working
on increasing cadence alone will result in a "windmill"
like action without much increase in speed of forward movement.
Imagine, for example, running without leaning forward but
with cadence of 200. You could pretty much stay in one spot
like that. However, the speed of forward movement will increase
if you lean forward (fall) and then also change support, doing
so at high rate will also help you utilize what is yours by
nature - leg muscles' elasticity.
In swimming you can increase speed by just learning the perception
of support and the action of change of support in water. Very
few have a natural perception of support in water, but those
are the ones that pass you by in the water with even lower
cadence than yours. Once you got the "support" part
down, you could work specifically on implementing a higher
cadence to speed up even more.
Article by Dr. Nicholas Romanov
Composed by L. Romanov
Pose
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