In many ways, the sport of swimming hasn’t changed much. Breaststroke is still breaststroke, and 100 meters is still 100 meters. But swimming is drastically different today than even a decade ago. As time and understanding march on, every aspect of a swimmer’s performance becomes a technical element to be examined and optimized.
EQUIPMENT
From trunks to caps to full-body suits, equipment continues to develop. While a coach does not need to know all the technological info about these polyurethane and spandex wonders, you should know what the governing bodies of the sport will and will not allow. These parameters change annually, and it is your responsibility to know and understand them.
TRAINING & ANALYSIS
The use of underwater cameras and motion analysis software is now required at the highest levels – college and beyond – if a swimmer wants to compete on a national level. Not only must the coach obtain the necessary equipment, but also gain the proper knowledge to use it appropriately. For this reason, many motion training specialists have already entered the arena and offered their services to high schools and other institutions.
DIET & NUTRITION
The science of feeding the competitive swimmer is still in its infancy even though it is almost three decades old. In the past, swimmers were instructed to feed on basically the same regimen as long distance runners- the reasoning being that cardio is cardio, and nutrition should be approached in the same way for each. These days, a more modern approach recognizes the differences in the two types of athletes and has made the appropriate modifications. In particular, a more balanced approach as opposed to “carbo-loading” is advised.
Note: This post was originally published in December 2014 and has been revamped and updated with new ideas and information.