In a sport where victory is often determined by a fraction of a second, it’s obvious why one of the most sought-after secrets is how to swim faster. However, as the world’s most renowned coaches, athletes, trainers, and researchers know, there is no secret—just science.
Science of Swimming Faster is a remarkable achievement—one that embraces, explains, and applies the latest science and research that has and continues to set new performance benchmarks in the sport.
Part I Swimming Mechanics and Technique
Chapter 1 Fluid Dynamics, Propulsion, and Drag
Chapter 2 Freestyle Technique
Chapter 3 Backstroke Technique
Chapter 4 Breaststroke Technique
Chapter 5 Butterfly Technique
Chapter 6 Techniques for Starts and Turns
Chapter 7 Analyzing Strokes Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Part II Physiological Aspects of Training and Competition
Chapter 8 Energy Systems and Physiology
Chapter 9 Periodization and Planning
Chapter 10 The Impact of Tapering on Performance
Chapter 11 Competition Day Strategies
Chapter 12 Analyzing Elite Swimming Performances
Chapter 13 Overtraining and Recovery
Part III Applied Sport Sciences
Chapter 14 Nutrition: Fueling for Performance
Chapter 15 Performance Enhancers and Doping Control
Chapter 16 Swimming Psychology: Merging Mind and Body
Chapter 17 Growth and Development
Chapter 18 Sports Medicine: Swimming Injuries and Their Prevention
Chapter 19 Sports Medicine: Illnesses and General Health
Chapter 20 Strength and Conditioning for Performance Enhancement
Part IV Considerations for Special Groups
Chapter 21 Adolescent Swimmers
Chapter 22 Masters Swimmers
Chapter 23 Female Swimmers
Chapter 24 Open Water Swimmers
Chapter 25 Adaptive Swimmers
Scott Riewald, PhD, is the U.S. Olympic Committee’s winter sport high-performance director. He works closely with eight winter sport national governing bodies to coordinate sport science and medical services for their athletes. He has served as the biomechanics director for USA Swimming at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. In this role, he was part of an international biomechanics research team at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and provided education and services to many of the nation's top swimmers. He has given presentations to athletes and coaches about using science to positively affect performance. Riewald has also been involved in cutting-edge research in evaluating new technologies and swim performance, and he has worked as the biomechanics director for the United States Tennis Association in Key Biscayne, Florida.
Scott Rodeo, MD, is a clinician-scientist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, where he also serves as co-chief of the Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service. His specialty includes treating sport injuries to the knee, shoulder, ankle, and elbow. He also is a professor of orthopedic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. Rodeo holds a board position at Asphalt Green in Manhattan, where he helps promote injury prevention and healthy living through exercise. He served as team physician for the 2004, 2008, and 2012 U.S. Olympic swimming teams and the New York Giants football team. He has been involved with USA Swimming, serving as a chair of their Sports Medicine and Science Committee. Rodeo is also a former competitive swimmer and provides medical support for local swimming programs.