Does the length of the pool really matter when training
The answer is a resounding yes!!!!
So, why does a pool length matter so much? The answer is tumble turns and starts. The shorter the pool length, the more tumble turns are needed to go the same distance. Also, the ratio of time spent performing tumble turns compared to time spent swimming is higher. This is very important, because tumble turns and starts have the benefit of being faster. You can push off the wall with greater speed than you can swim. In addition, tumble turns allow swim specific muscles a momentary pause. This pause allows for a faster recovery compared to continuous swimming.
There are also physiological differences that come into play, particularly when comparing Shorter pools to a longer pool. In a shorter pool, even mid-level triathletes are swimming a length in 20 seconds. This is barely enough time to engage the anaerobic system, which isn’t needed much unless the exertion is more than about 15seconds. By the time the anaerobic system gets engaged, you have to do a tumble turn, get a momentary rest, and then get to start the next length fresh.
So, why does all this matter to you? It is important because open water triathlon or endurance swimming has no tumble turns or resting periods. Thus, training regularly in a longer pool will provide more open-water specific benefits for most workouts.
If you cannot swim in open water or Olympic pools, should you just pack it in and leave triathlons to the pros? Absolutely not! There are many world class swimmers who train most of the year in 25 metre pools even though their primary races are in a open water or Olympic sized pools.
If Triathlons are your thing and you are training in a 25 metre pool, don’t worry too much about faster tumble turns and underwater kicking. You want to be proficient in turns so you don’t hit your head on the wall. Instead, focus more on improving your swimming ability to turn in faster pool times. And, it is okay to skip tumble turns altogether and use open turns. Another strategy is to skip the turns altogether by swimming lengths and turning around without your feet ever touching the wall. This is a tremendously challenging workout as it involves constant stopping and starting making it almost impossible to establish a rhythm. If you focus on the swim and not the walls, you can go a long way to increasing your swimming endurance.
Bottom line- when training for pool or sea events – the longer the pool the more swimming endurance you will build up.
For more expert swimming advice, contact Eilis Burns– renowned Swimming Coach with Source Health & Fitness, Located on the grounds of Silversprings Hotel, Silversprings, Tivoli, Cork
Source Health and Fitness Blog 