Re: Swimming Question

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna,

I'm a swim coach and occupational therapist specializing in aquatic therapy. In

reply to the question abnout swimmining to improve your foot trouble:

First of all, unlike old fashioned coaches I do not recommend using a kickboard

when practicing a flutter kick, the reason is that when swimming freestyle your

whole body should roll (not wiggle!) but roll as a unit from side to side.

It should roll around an axis that is like a rod going through your spine as

you're lying horizontally, face down in the water. Your body

should roll in this manner...your shoulder and hip on the same side DIP toward

the bottom of the pool, you " go with the flow " and roll toward the other side so

that your other shoulder and hip on the same side dip toward the bottom.

You should beghin working on the kick by pushing off the wall, gliding and

rolling in this manner. When you get this, swimming

will feel much more relaxed.

Next, begin moving your legs up and down from the hip, then the thigh, then the

lower leg. Don't let your foot come out of the

water or go more than 12-18 inches deep. You DO NOT ave to kick hard. Get this

first before working with the ankles that are so important to the kick and for

people with CMT.

In fact, practice this part of the kick by sitting on a step where you can SEE

what your ankles are doing. Now, moving from your hips

first with your knees nearly but not completely straight, flex your ankle

upwards toward your knee (dorsiflex-the hard part for folks w/ CMT) then push

down no more than 112-18 inches and point as your foot

is at the low point of the kick. No need to work hard. This is how the kick is

done if you're on your back.

It's the best way to learn the movement because you can see if you're doing it

right. It may take a few sessions but it's good for you so be patient as you

learn.When you've gotten this, go back and do your

glide on your front, moving your legs up and down quickly but easily, from the

hips, with a slightly relaxed knee, to the ankle. The ankle should now move

loosely, never stiffly. It's the same thing you did on

the steps, in reverse. The ankle flexes on the downbeat and is pointed at the

top.

Later you should learn the whip kick for breatstroke. This is the kick that is

particularly hard for CMTers but it's good to do some of it. I'll tell youo

about this later. For the whip kick a kickboard is a help.

For a flutter kick it does not help you get the whole body movement and for most

swimmers, let anyone those with CMT, you'll enjoy the movement much more as you

can relax and roll and go with the flow, rather than stiffly holding a board

which forces your body to be

" square to the water " .

I'm aware that this contrasts with advice from old fashioned advice but there is

no doubt that it works best. Lots of luck. I wish I could work with you

personally. I'm in Jensen Beach, Florida.

Deni

[Guest guest]

Donna,

I guess I'm the swim coach/triathlete you're looking for . Once

again, I'm late checking e-mails!

I agree with lots of what Deni said about swimming. The " body roll "

is important when you bring that kicking back into a full stroke.

Using a kick board should be your preference (I train 100% without

because it's a better workout, and I can go faster). It does teach

some bad habits - like keeping your body flat on the water as opposed

to rolling - but if it means the difference between you practicing

kicking or not, keep it. I would let my swim kids use a kick board

because it meant they could talk to their friends, and I could keep

them swimming longer!

I like what Deni said about " kicking from the hip " . Many beginner

swimmers think the kick should come from the knees, which is

incorrect. I think the drills she suggested for sitting on the stairs

are great to work on dorsiflexion of the ankle (one of the more

common muscles lost to CMT), but I wouldn't suggest them for kicking,

or swimming free-style. The reason I don't recommend them for

swimming is that bringing your toes up towards the knee will slow you

down. It slows you down by increasing drag in the water.

I should warn you right now, I tend to always think in terms of

making people go faster in the pool. Going faster is fun, and if it's

fun you're more likely to continue doing it.

I suggest loosely pointing the toes and allowing the ankles and feet

to " flap " slightly. You're still controlling your feet, so " flap " is

a bit too strong of a word. I agree with you totally about persons

with CMT being good at flutter kick. As a general rule, us grown ups

aren't nearly as good at kicking as kids. So don't try to race with

anyone under 23 years of age.

Hope that helps, and thanks for calling me a Triathlete!

Don Mulhall

Penticton, Canada

[Guest guest]

hello i have a question. i have CMT and have lozst the ability to control.

my legsto kick in rithym to swim.... I can kick but i cnnot kick at as

consistant pace so i sink.. i tread water then start again... any suggestions

how to

get the kick rythm bsck???? i exercise in the river every day in warm weather..

Cathleen in arkansas