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Science of Swimming Faster
In a sport where victory is often determined by a fraction of a second, it's obvious why one of the most sought-after secrets is how to swim faster. However, as the world's most renowned coaches, athletes, trainers, and researchers know, there is no secret--just science.
"Science of Swimming Faster" is a remarkable achievement--one that embraces, explains, and applies the latest science and research that has and continues to set new performance benchmarks in the sport. It is a one-of-a-kind resource:
- An easily understood repository of swimming research
- Insights distilled from great sport and exercise scientists, coaches, and swimmers
- A do-it-right reference for a host of techniques and tactics
- The most credible and widely used training principles and programs
- An analysis identifying key factors contributing to elite and world-record swimming performance
- An insider's access to the strategies for training, tapering, fueling, recovery, and mental preparation being used with some of the world's most successful swimmers.
With editors Scott Riewald and Scott Rodeo and a who's-who list of international experts on the sport, "Science of Swimming Faster" offers you an unprecedented wealth of advanced yet accessible information on excelling in the sport.
"Science of Swimming Faster" is a remarkable achievement--one that embraces, explains, and applies the latest science and research that has and continues to set new performance benchmarks in the sport. It is a one-of-a-kind resource:
- An easily understood repository of swimming research
- Insights distilled from great sport and exercise scientists, coaches, and swimmers
- A do-it-right reference for a host of techniques and tactics
- The most credible and widely used training principles and programs
- An analysis identifying key factors contributing to elite and world-record swimming performance
- An insider's access to the strategies for training, tapering, fueling, recovery, and mental preparation being used with some of the world's most successful swimmers.
With editors Scott Riewald and Scott Rodeo and a who's-who list of international experts on the sport, "Science of Swimming Faster" offers you an unprecedented wealth of advanced yet accessible information on excelling in the sport.
- GenresSportsFitnessNonfiction
616 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2015
17 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 26, 2016
I will be the first to admit that this book surprised me. Part of that is because the book doesn't target it's audience very well. This book is written for the hardcore athlete and coach, not so much your average swimmer. The first section leads off with some intense wave-physics based swimming techniques. Really interesting if you are into physics. After that you get several sections about nutrition, training, and injury management. If you are planning on training or coaching for the mega leagues, this is probably the most comprehensive book you can find.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
April 3, 2018
So much useful content. Many of the chapters are applicable to other sports as well - Nutrition, Periodisation, Metabolism etc.
Very academic (a good thing), each chapter reads more like a literature review of each topic rather than a 5-step/how to guide.
Very academic (a good thing), each chapter reads more like a literature review of each topic rather than a 5-step/how to guide.
September 6, 2015
The Science of Swimming Faster is just about every Internet search I have performed on swimming in one tome. The target audience may very well be coaches and the elite circles of swimming, but the swimmer who cannot bear to put his face in the water will benefit as well.
Indeed, this book is a well-researched read with in-depth information for the youngest competitive swimmers through Masters, and including swimmers who have special adaptive needs.
Every start, every stroke, and every turn is meticulously explained. The physics as well as the physiology behind the swim is covered. Why did Janet Evans’ stroke work for her while the rest of us should bend at the elbow? We learned the ‘S’ pull as kids, but that is no longer the rule. There is a line graph somewhere in the book to show you why.
This is also one of the few books I have come across that goes into depth the finer points of fly, back, and breast as well. Breastroke, a hard enough stroke to teach a proper kick for, is explained down to the muscles that are taxed when elite athletes swim.
Dryland training, nutrition, tapering, ageing, and a myriad of other subjects are also covered in a well-organized fashion.
Some of the pictures are a bit difficult to see due to the small size, but that’s an easy work around.
It is obvious that this book was well researched. There are nearly 30 pages of references and an impressive compilation of contributors who work in various fields to create this swimming bible.
I received this book free from the early reviewers program though librarything.com in return for a review. This did not affect my review.
Indeed, this book is a well-researched read with in-depth information for the youngest competitive swimmers through Masters, and including swimmers who have special adaptive needs.
Every start, every stroke, and every turn is meticulously explained. The physics as well as the physiology behind the swim is covered. Why did Janet Evans’ stroke work for her while the rest of us should bend at the elbow? We learned the ‘S’ pull as kids, but that is no longer the rule. There is a line graph somewhere in the book to show you why.
This is also one of the few books I have come across that goes into depth the finer points of fly, back, and breast as well. Breastroke, a hard enough stroke to teach a proper kick for, is explained down to the muscles that are taxed when elite athletes swim.
Dryland training, nutrition, tapering, ageing, and a myriad of other subjects are also covered in a well-organized fashion.
Some of the pictures are a bit difficult to see due to the small size, but that’s an easy work around.
It is obvious that this book was well researched. There are nearly 30 pages of references and an impressive compilation of contributors who work in various fields to create this swimming bible.
I received this book free from the early reviewers program though librarything.com in return for a review. This did not affect my review.
July 21, 2015
This book takes cutting edge research from many science disciplines—including physics, kinetics, anatomy, psychology, nutrition and medicine—and reduces it to practical advice to increase swimming speed. While this book would be excellent for swim coaches and students of swim kinesiology, it is also a good reference for the hobby swimmer, swim fan, or a parent of a swimming youth too.
The first part of the book breaks apart each phase of a swim stroke with separate chapters on freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. It also includes techniques for starts and turns. Part two emphasizes training including the best training/tapering/recovery methodology and competition day strategies. Part three includes information on nutrition, performance enhancers, psychology, growth/development, injury prevention, and strength exercises to do outside the water to enhance performance within it. Part five concludes with sections on special groups including adolescents, older (master) swimmers, females, open water and adaptive swimmers.
Overall, the book is overflowing with helpful information written in an understandable manner.
I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway but that has not impacted my review.
The first part of the book breaks apart each phase of a swim stroke with separate chapters on freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. It also includes techniques for starts and turns. Part two emphasizes training including the best training/tapering/recovery methodology and competition day strategies. Part three includes information on nutrition, performance enhancers, psychology, growth/development, injury prevention, and strength exercises to do outside the water to enhance performance within it. Part five concludes with sections on special groups including adolescents, older (master) swimmers, females, open water and adaptive swimmers.
Overall, the book is overflowing with helpful information written in an understandable manner.
I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway but that has not impacted my review.
August 19, 2015
Everyone who gets into the water to swim can benefit from even a light reading of this book. The section on nutrition can be used by anyone in any sport. The book is set up with various sections devoted to that particular topic so finding what you want to learn about is easy. I like that it can be used by the swimmer, the coach, the parent or just about anybody with no complicated high-tech ways of saying things. I was eager to be able to read this book since my son (10) is an avid swimmer and swims in USA Swimming sanctioned competitions (meets). This is a reference I am sure I'll be coming back to time and time again. I like everything about this book and feel I can easily recommend it to others, swimmers or not. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This in no way has influenced my opinion although seeing my son smile upon hearing he can learn ways to be faster sure has.
September 21, 2015
An exceptional competitive swimming resource. This book is broad in scope, covering every aspect of competitive swimming both in and out of the pool in minute detail.
Perhaps most importantly, every opinion is justified; facts are the determinant. This book brings swimming wisdom and science together - comprehensively; while recognising the limits of what we don't fully understand.
It would not be surprising to see this book considered the most important work in swimming in the early 21st century.
Perhaps most importantly, every opinion is justified; facts are the determinant. This book brings swimming wisdom and science together - comprehensively; while recognising the limits of what we don't fully understand.
It would not be surprising to see this book considered the most important work in swimming in the early 21st century.
December 30, 2015
I received this book as a firstread and am glad I did. As a casual swimmer I wouldn't have thought to pick this up, but it was incredibly informative and interesting. I'm enjoying the increased lap times.
August 26, 2015
I am a huge science and math person. This book breaks down swimming into the math and science behind it. It was really interesting to read and I really did learn a lot about swimming.
October 27, 2015
I won this book through the giveaways. It is very informative and precisely written.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews