Swimming strokes and intensities

[amazingtoxic]

Hi all

I am creating a swimming program for my friend and have to do an evaluation of it for college. I have used alternate swimming strokes to act as a mild interval training. i.e. crawl followed by breat then backstroke.

Would I be right in doing this (she has asthma so did want it to be too intense) but I am right in saying the that the different swimming strokes have different intensities? If so how would I explain this?

[derekpara]

Swimming strokes will vary in intensity according to the amount of effort that is applied. A flat out breast stroke will be more tiring than a relaxed front crawl, for example. In butterfly the arms must be recovered over the water, requiring tremendous effort of the arms and legs during the propulsive phase, so hardly the stroke for a relaxing swim ! In back Crawl breathing is no problem and an in-breath should be taken as one arm or the other recovers over the water. More to follow...

[derekpara]

.....Doing 'legs only' on the back, with arms trailing by the side can be useful exercise as well as providing a recovery phase between lengths of other strokes. Basically, any stroke which requires the arms to be recovered over the water is more intensive than, say, Breast Stroke, where the whole body is supported by the water, and breathing is not a problem. More.....

[derekpara]

Finally, the use of a kicking board and/or fins will provide variety, and focus on specific areas of the stroke and the body. Swimming can be as intensive or relaxing as you want to make it. That's why it's such a wonderful activity. Let me know if I can help any more. Good luck.

Derek (ASA Coach)