Abstract Swimming is the only international sport where performances are stagnant or regressing. Possible reasons for this inertia are discussed using examples of current elite athlete coaching practices. Suggestions for once again improving elite swimming performances are provided. What is contained in the article is a list of some current elite swim coaching practices that are erroneous and counter-productive in their effects on swimming performance. This list is incomplete. The items are not necessarily the most significant, but are examples of how a profession can lose its concept of standards for accepting the validity and reliability of behavior change practices. That this situation has occurred when an ever-expanding research base of exercise science exists is cause for concern. Some of the aspects mentioned are e.g. - Many coaching discussions are based on incomplete, inadequate, or erroneous knowledge of basic exercise science. - Worriesome "institutionalization" of overtraining as an acceptable feature of the sport. - Motor learning as one of the most ignored areas of elite swim coaching. - Drills are used excessively in the belief that they will improve stroke technique. - Training equipment does not strengthen or embellish training effects. - Weights and out-of-water work do not enhance performance.
© Copyright 1998 Swimming Science Bulletin. All rights reserved.