Resistance swimming involves swimming in place using a restraint device or a swimming machine. Tethered swimming is the most economical form of endurance swimming, while hybrid systems combine tethered and machine swimming. Open water swimming is still necessary for optimal performance in competitive swimming.
Resistance swimming is a form of exercise that involves swimming in place. The swimmer is tied to a rope or a current is generated to swim. Tethered swimming is the most economical form of endurance swimming and involves tying a restraint device around the swimmer’s leg. Swimming machines generate a current that allows the swimmer to stay in one place, but this device is very expensive. Hybrid systems combine the practice of tethered and machine swimming, but open water swimming is generally required for best performance.
An excellent example of resistance swimming is tethered swimming. This involves swimming while a restraint device is attached to the swimmer’s foot. This device allows the swimmer to exercise for long periods of time in a relatively limited amount of water. While he or she is restrained, it is possible to swim normally without having to worry about running out of space.
This form of endurance swimming is very popular with college teams and even members of the military. Tethered swimming takes some getting used to because the feeling of swimming while restrained is strange. Tethered swimmers can swim at any speed, and this form of exercise is especially useful for sprints.
Tethered swimming has been in use since the 1950s. Originally, this form of resistance swimming involved holding the individual down with a rope which was soon replaced by a tube. Tethered swimming has evolved to the point where practitioners can now be restrained by shock absorbing bungee cords ensuring a comfortable experience.
Swimming machines provide another method of resistance swimming. These variants are usually propellers or jets that cause the water to agitate. The swimmer must then move against this current which makes him stay in the same place.
Swimming machines were first used in the 1970s and were criticized for providing an unnatural swimming environment. Although the machines were useful, they were also found to waste too much energy. They were also considered to be extremely loud and not significantly superior to tethered swimming.
A hybrid system combines certain elements of the mooring and swimming machines. This often comes in the form of a small pool that allows a person to swim in place with an anchor device attached to the foot. The main thing that a hybrid system has in common with a machine is that it provides the swimmer with the same autonomous aspect of a machine, except there is no mechanical assistance. This means that a hybrid system is less expensive than a swimming machine.
However, the same problem persists. Resistance swimming, whether in the form of tethered swimming, hybrid activity, or with a machine, can be an ideal way to swim in a small area. However, it cannot replicate the conditions of open water swimming. Those who participate in competitive swimming still need to practice in circumstances closer to race conditions for optimal performance.
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