HOW CHAMPIONS DO IT

Researched, produced, and prepared by Brent S. Rushall, Ph.D., R.Psy.

PENELOPE HEYNES' FULL STROKE AT 120 m OF HER 200 m BREASTSTROKE GOLD MEDAL RACE AT THE ATLANTA OLYMPIC GAMES 1996

Each frame is .1 second part.

Notable Features

One has to question the reason for Penelope Heynes holding her head and shoulders out of the water so long. There does not seem to be any need to exaggerate this action to the extent demonstrated. It consumes much energy and time, factors that if refined and minimized, could contribute to a faster turn-over and the production of a larger horizontal component of propulsive force with the arm action.

The streamlining and timing of the stroke is very similar to that of Mike Barrowman. The body, head, and arms are flat and fully elongated during the propulsive portion of the kick. The exceptional speed with which the head and shoulders are returned to a flat streamlined position after inhalation is sufficient to allow most of the kick to propel a stationary flat posture through the water.

The flexibility of Penelope Heynes appears to be similar to that of Mike Barrowman. When the shoulders and head are raised to breathe, the hips and thighs/legs stay up near the surface. They do not drop down as a reaction to the elevation. This indicates that the power to raise the head and body comes almost entirely from the inward sculling movements in the arm patterns.

Penelope Heynes at 120 m

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