Why Need Swimming Pool or Spa?

Why Need Swimming Pool or Spa?

The efficiency of swimming stroke is the key to success as a competing or training swimmer. An efficient stroke will significantly reduce spent energy output through less drag water and the cleaner execution of hand and arm entry and recovery. Thus, that little extra energy may provide you with an overall faster time. When your energy resources are exhausted and you are hanging on to the end of your race, you will be the winner if you can hold your technique till the end. Every swimmer knows how easy it is to let one’s technique drop off as you become more fatigued throughout a race. But the burning sensation in the shoulders as you try to hold together your last few strokes to the wall is the hardest part of the race.

Technique

When considering swimming technique for any stroke, analysis should follow the format described below, in this order:

1. Leg kick.
2. Timing.
3. .Arm cycle. 4. Breathing.

Leg Kick

The leg kick will control the body position in the water, while the arm cycle will provide the propulsive force. The timing between the two is vital for the efficiency of the given stroke in order to provide a great speed through the water by spending minimum energy. Finally, breathing technique should be analysed to ensure tat when you breathe your overall technique is not disrupted in any way which may cause a breakdown in efficiency.

Freestyle

He main propulsive force of the freestyle stroke is the arm cycle. The legs add only 10% of total speed through the water. The main function of the legs is to help keep the body balanced and efficient to allow the arms to do their work and keep the body moving when the arm cycle is at its weakest point. Following are the features, which are worth considering:

Recovery

Elbow leaves the water first, with a high elbow, hand relaxed directly under the elbow, trailing fingers on the water and then reach forward to the entry position.

Entry & Catch

Little finger first, drop the shoulder to allow a reach and catch the water with the hand cupped. The arm should flex slightly at the elbow to assist in the catch.

Down Sweep

Continue to flex the arm at the elbow as you press laterally, then downwards as you pull the hand towards the shoulder and chest, keeping that shoulder in the drop position.

Press

With the arm close to the body, press the water towards the feet in line with the body, ensuring that the full arm extension is achieved.

Butterfly

This is a stroke, where timing of the kick and the arm cycle are paramount. An inadequate butterfly technique can waste a huge amount of energy because of the double arm movement on recovery and propulsion and also the double leg kick. Practice makes perfect and the more efficient you can make this stroke the more power you will be able to generate, where it is needed. The arm cycle is as follows:

It is best to build up your skill by doing some of these simple practices first:

• The most important thing is to be relaxed and confident about getting your head well down below the surface and opening your eyes. Try picking up objects from the bottom of the pool and then attempt in it slightly deeper water, where you will have to jump off the bottom and dive so that your feet come up and your head go under.
• The streamlined push and glide is another good practice for diving. Keep your face in the water with your body fully stretched as you push off and glide along, just below the surface. Aim for the bottom of the pool, keeping your thumbs linked and palms downwards. Glide back to the surface by pointing your hands upwards.
• Now try jumping into the water from the side of the pool. Start off in a part of the pool where you are just within your depth. If you are feeling nervous, then try to jump in a crouched position. Later when you are able to jump confidently from a standing position, try making different shapes with your body as you jump. For instance, you could bring your knees up to your chest and clasp them with your arms as you sail through the air. Don’t forget you have to practice lots of jumps until you feel really confident.