British Swimmers Test the Water
British Swimmers Test the Water
by Rebecca Roberts 31.03.10
GB swimmers are testing the water at the British Gas Swimming Championships this week as the first opportunity for Commonwealth Games selection is underway at Ponds Forge, Sheffield.
The event also sees the first opportunity for athletes to all compete under the new swimming suit standards as set by FINA which came into play on January 1st this year. Behind the suits, athletes’ strength and conditioning has continued to play its role in the development of athletes to compete at the highest level.
The non-textile swimsuits drew attention throughout the 2009 competitive season with faster swims and increased buoyancy due to their hydrodynamic re effect.
Athletes’ strength however, has always been a crucial element to their performance, says EIS Strength & Conditioning Coach Barry Shillabeer, who leads S&C support with British Swimming.
“As Strength & Conditioning Coaches in swimming, we believe in making swimmers better athletes overall and also have that focus on shape to improve swim position and efficiency” he explains.
“Training in the pool and on land therefore focuses towards ‘shape’ and holding key positions in the pool, the athletes always have to be strong, but without size. This idea has been consistent around the sites at which athletes are based and will be important in the ongoing development of athletes for some time to come.
“With the group of swimmers we work with in Loughborough as well as our EIS team support nationally through British Swimming, we are well placed for moving forwards without the suits” he adds.
So far this week the British team have shown strength and depth in the squad, with impressive performances from Rebecca Adlington who held off strong opposition from teenager Jazmin Carlin to win the women’s 200m freestyle on Monday, Michael Rock who won the men’s 200m, Elizabeth Johnson who broke the world record in the SB6 100m final whilst Achieng Ajula-Bushell impressed in the women’s 50m breastroke and today Gemma Spofforth and Lizzie Simmonds will battle it out in the 100m backstroke.
For the latest results and updates from the British Championships, visit the British Swimming website here