Welcome to our quarterly newsletter designed to keep you apprised of recent developments in the science of swimming. If you would like information about how technology can improve performance, please contact me.

 

Sincerely,

 

Sharon Loving
Swimming Technology Research

850-385-9803

kidd@swimmingtechnology.com

Counsilman Center Names Board 

Dr. Joel Stager,director of the

Counsilman Center for the Science of Swimming at Indiana University, recently announced the formation of an advisory board. The sport scientists named to the board are: Dr. Jan Prins, director of the Aquatic Research Laboratory at the University of Hawaii; Dr. Ted Becker, president of Everett Pacific Industrial Rehab; and Dr. Rod Havriluk, president of Swimming Technology Research. Named for James E. "Doc" Counsilman, the Counsilman Center is dedicated to promoting the science behind the sport of swimming.

Recent Clinic News

14th Annual Saudi Arabia Clinics

Dr. Havriluk recently returned from his 14th annual trip to Saudi Arabia. After conducting coaching clinics and SpeedWeeks in Dhahran and Abqaiq, Rod stopped in the UAE and met with the manager of the swimming academy at Dubai Sports City. Plans for regular advanced technology clinics at Dubai Sports City are in the works.

 

Most swimmers begin the freestyle pull with a straight arm. If the elbow is flexed as backward hand motion begins, more force is generated. As soon as the arm straightens at the completion of the arm entry, watch the elbow flex to begin the pull. If the rate of elbow flexion is sufficient, the hand will pass directly beneath the head.

 

Two visual cues help master elbow flexion during the pull phase. At the completion of arm entry, see the hand directly in front of the shoulder. As the hand pulls back, see the hand pass directly beneath the head. With an optimal head position, both cues are within the swimmer's visual field.

Aquanex+Video Analysis

Swimmers benefit in many ways

Aquanex+Video is the most advanced technology for the analysis of swimming technique because it goes far beyond video alone. The synchronized force data provides a numerical evaluation of the arm positions throughout the stroke cycle. Video is only adequate to a point. Once swimmers start qualifying for championship meets (whether it's the Olympics or the Junior Olympics), Aquanex data is essential for continued technique improvement. For example, the world champ in the image below saw how she lost force because she finished her push too far from her body.

 

 

Other benefits of Aquanex include:
Swimming specific strength training - Aquanex provides instant feedback about peak force and encourages swimmers to generate more force. Free swimming, tethered, or flume trials can be repeated as a circuit station.
Talent identification for college recruiting - What college coach wouldn't like to find a fast swimmer with a technique limitation that can be fixed? Aquanex provides detailed quantitative data about the entire stroke cycle that is invaluable in the recruiting process.
Injury prevention and rehab - Weak and awkward arm positions are easily identifiable with Aquanex. Avoiding these positions can prevent or rehab an injury.
Equipment testing - Aquanex can answer questions about equipment design for manufacturers, and also tell coaches if the equipment is doing what they think.

Ask Dr. Havriluk

Which fast swimmer has perfect technique and which Olympian's video should I buy?

Research shows that faster swimmers have more effective technique than slower swimmers. However, research also shows that even the fastest swimmers have limiting factors. If you copy the technique of an Olympian, you risk adopting their limiting factors as well as their positive technique elements. Any Olympian's video is useful for demonstrating some effective technique elements, but no human exhibits a completely optimal technique.

 

Other questions are addressed at the FAQs page on the STR website.

The Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming Conference will be held in Oslo, Norway on June 16-19, 2010. The conference has been held every four years since 1970 and brings together coaches and scientists interested in the science of swimming. Click the logo for more information.

 

STR's advanced technology and unique strategies expedite the skill learning process. Research shows that SpeedWeek participants improve their technique more in 5 days than swimmers typically improve in 2 years! Limited spaces are available. Click the logo for more information.

May 23-24 - Aquanex+Video Analysis Clinics - Richmond & Fredericksburg, VA

June 1-5 - SpeedWeek, Tallahassee, FL

June 7 - Aquanex+Video Analysis Clinic for Elite Swimmers

August 3-7 - SpeedWeek, Tallahassee, FL

We also have upcoming clinics at other locations in the USA, as well as in the Caribbean and South America.

In addition to our own ongoing research, Aquanex studies are currently underway at the Queensland Academy of Sport in Australia and at the University of Arkansas. Findings will be posted as they become available.

Dr. Scott Mclean of Southwestern University presented a study using Aquanex at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine. The study was published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. Copies of this article and others are posted on the Research page of the STR website.