Why People Give Bad Swimming Advice The Science Behind It
It's a familiar scenario for many swimmers: you're at the pool, diligently working on your technique, when someone approaches with unsolicited swim advice. Often, this advice is well-intentioned but ultimately unhelpful, inaccurate, or even detrimental to your swimming. But why does this happen? Why do people, even those with limited swimming expertise, feel compelled to offer awful swim advice? Understanding the reasons behind this phenomenon can help swimmers navigate these interactions and focus on credible sources for improving their skills.
The Dunning-Kruger Effect
One significant factor contributing to the prevalence of bad swimming advice is the Dunning-Kruger effect. This cognitive bias describes the tendency for individuals with low competence in a particular area to overestimate their abilities. In other words, people who are poor swimmers may believe they are quite good, leading them to confidently dispense advice that is fundamentally flawed. This effect is particularly pronounced in activities like swimming, where perceived competence can be subjective and difficult to gauge accurately. Someone who can swim a few laps without struggling might consider themselves an expert, even if their technique is inefficient and unsustainable for longer distances. The Dunning-Kruger effect highlights a crucial challenge: those who need the most guidance are often the least aware of their limitations, while those with genuine expertise are more likely to recognize the complexities of swimming and offer more nuanced advice.
The Dunning-Kruger effect in swimming manifests in several ways. For instance, a novice swimmer might observe a professional swimmer’s high elbow catch and try to replicate it without understanding the underlying mechanics and necessary shoulder flexibility. This can lead to improper form, increased risk of injury, and frustration. Similarly, someone who has swum the same way for years without seeking formal instruction may believe their technique is optimal, even if it is riddled with inefficiencies. They might then impart this flawed technique to others, perpetuating bad habits. The Dunning-Kruger effect underscores the importance of seeking guidance from qualified instructors and coaches who possess a deep understanding of swimming biomechanics and pedagogy. These professionals can provide objective feedback and tailor their instruction to individual needs, helping swimmers develop proper technique and avoid common pitfalls.
Moreover, the Dunning-Kruger effect can be amplified by the social dynamics of the pool environment. Swimming is often a social activity, and people naturally want to help each other. However, this desire to assist can lead to well-meaning but misguided advice. Someone might see a fellow swimmer struggling and offer a quick fix based on their limited understanding, without realizing the potential for harm. In these situations, it’s essential to politely acknowledge the advice but prioritize guidance from qualified professionals. This not only ensures that you receive accurate information but also helps to maintain a positive and supportive atmosphere at the pool.
Misunderstanding Fundamental Principles
Another reason for the abundance of bad swimming advice stems from a misunderstanding of the fundamental principles of swimming. Many people approach swimming as a purely physical endeavor, focusing on strength and endurance while neglecting the crucial elements of technique and body position. This can lead to advice that emphasizes brute force over efficiency, such as “just kick harder” or “pull with more power.” While strength and endurance are important, they are secondary to proper technique. A swimmer with poor technique will expend more energy and move slower than a swimmer with efficient form, even if the latter is less physically strong. Understanding the fundamental principles of swimming involves recognizing the importance of body position, streamlining, propulsion, and breathing.
Body position is the foundation of efficient swimming. A streamlined, horizontal body position reduces drag and allows the swimmer to move through the water more easily. Many amateur swimmers struggle with body position, allowing their legs to sink and creating unnecessary resistance. Advice that ignores body position, such as focusing solely on arm stroke or leg kick, is likely to be ineffective. Instead, swimmers should strive to maintain a high body position by engaging their core muscles, keeping their head aligned with their spine, and pressing their chest forward. Proper body position not only reduces drag but also facilitates a more powerful and efficient stroke.
Streamlining is closely related to body position and involves minimizing the surface area presented to the water. A streamlined body cuts through the water with less resistance, allowing for faster and more effortless swimming. Common mistakes that hinder streamlining include a wide arm entry, a dropped elbow, and a fishtailing kick. Advice that overlooks streamlining, such as focusing on stroke rate without addressing body alignment, can be counterproductive. Swimmers should practice streamlining drills regularly, focusing on maintaining a tight, compact body position from fingertips to toes. This will significantly improve their efficiency and speed in the water.
Propulsion refers to the forces that drive the swimmer forward. In freestyle, the primary propulsive forces come from the arm stroke and the leg kick. However, the timing and coordination of these movements are crucial for generating effective propulsion. Advice that emphasizes isolated arm or leg movements without considering the overall stroke cycle is likely to be misleading. For example, telling someone to “pull harder” without addressing their catch or finish phases may lead to increased effort without improved speed. Swimmers should focus on developing a smooth, continuous stroke cycle that maximizes propulsion throughout the entire movement.
Breathing is another essential element of swimming that is often misunderstood. Improper breathing technique can disrupt body position, create tension, and reduce efficiency. Advice that simplifies breathing, such as “just breathe whenever you need to,” can be detrimental. Swimmers should learn to exhale fully underwater and inhale quickly and efficiently during the recovery phase of the stroke. This minimizes the time spent with the head turned to the side and helps maintain a streamlined body position. Proper breathing technique is crucial for both comfort and performance in the water.
Personal Experience vs. Scientific Principles
A significant source of bad swimming advice arises from the tendency to prioritize personal experience over scientific principles. Many swimmers, even those with years of experience, base their advice on what has worked for them personally, without considering whether it is universally applicable or supported by evidence. This can lead to advice that is highly individualistic and potentially harmful to others. For example, a swimmer who has developed a unique stroke style that works for their body type and abilities might advise others to emulate it, even if it is biomechanically inefficient or unsustainable for the long term. The importance of scientific principles cannot be overstated when it comes to swimming.
Swimming is a highly technical sport that is governed by the laws of physics and biomechanics. Optimal swimming technique is based on scientific principles of hydrodynamics, propulsion, and body mechanics. Advice that contradicts these principles is likely to be ineffective or even detrimental. For example, the concept of a high elbow catch in freestyle is based on the principle of maximizing the surface area of the hand and forearm during the pull-through phase. This allows the swimmer to generate more propulsive force with each stroke. Advice that dismisses the importance of a high elbow catch or promotes a flat-handed pull is not supported by scientific evidence.
Furthermore, personal experience can be a misleading guide because it is often influenced by individual strengths and weaknesses. A swimmer with exceptional upper body strength might be able to compensate for poor leg kick technique, but this does not mean that neglecting leg kick is a sound strategy for all swimmers. Similarly, a swimmer with natural flexibility might be able to perform certain movements that are difficult or even dangerous for others. Relying solely on personal experience can lead to advice that is not only ineffective but also potentially harmful. It is crucial to consider the individual needs and abilities of the swimmer when offering advice.
Scientific research has provided valuable insights into the most efficient and effective swimming techniques. Studies have examined the biomechanics of different stroke styles, the impact of body position on drag, and the role of breathing in overall performance. This research has led to the development of training methods and techniques that are supported by evidence. Swimmers who base their training and technique on scientific principles are more likely to achieve their goals and avoid injuries. It's always better to get your information from certified coaches and reputable resources, not just anecdotal evidence.
The Illusion of Transparency
Another reason for poor swim advice is the "illusion of transparency," a cognitive bias where people overestimate how well others understand them and their experiences. In swimming, this can manifest as someone assuming that what feels right to them will automatically translate as correct technique for another person. They might struggle to articulate the nuances of a movement or fail to recognize that others may have different physical capabilities or learning styles. For example, a swimmer might say, "Just feel the water," without providing specific cues about how to engage the muscles or position the body. While the sensation of feeling the water is important, it is highly subjective and difficult to convey effectively without a more detailed explanation. The illusion of transparency can hinder communication and lead to misunderstandings.
Overcoming the illusion of transparency requires conscious effort to communicate clearly and precisely. When giving advice, it is essential to break down complex movements into smaller, more manageable steps. Instead of saying, “Just kick faster,” a more effective approach would be to explain the mechanics of the kick, such as the importance of ankle flexibility, the range of motion, and the rhythm of the kick. Providing visual demonstrations and analogies can also help to clarify concepts and make them more accessible to others. For instance, comparing the leg kick to a dolphin’s tail can help swimmers visualize the undulating motion that is required for efficient propulsion.
Furthermore, it is crucial to recognize that different swimmers may require different cues and explanations. What works for one person may not work for another. Some swimmers respond well to visual cues, while others benefit more from tactile or auditory cues. Being able to adapt your communication style to the individual needs of the swimmer is a key skill for effective instruction. Asking clarifying questions and soliciting feedback can also help to ensure that your message is being understood as intended.
In addition, the illusion of transparency can lead to oversimplification of complex skills. Swimming technique is multifaceted, involving a combination of body position, stroke mechanics, breathing, and timing. Trying to distill these elements into a single piece of advice often results in a message that is incomplete or misleading. For example, telling someone to “just keep your head down” without addressing their body position or breathing can lead to neck strain and inefficient swimming. Effective advice should address the underlying issues and provide a comprehensive solution, this is why it is important to communicate transparently and effectively.
The Social Dynamic of Giving Advice
Finally, the social dynamic of the pool environment can contribute to the prevalence of bad swimming advice. Swimming is often a social activity, and people naturally want to connect with others and share their experiences. Offering advice can be a way of initiating conversation, demonstrating expertise, or simply being helpful. However, this desire to connect can sometimes override the need for accurate and effective guidance. Someone might offer advice without fully considering the swimmer’s individual needs or abilities, simply because they want to be seen as knowledgeable or supportive. The social aspect of swimming makes it easy for misinformation to spread.
Navigating the social dynamics of the pool requires a delicate balance between being open to feedback and prioritizing credible sources of information. It is important to be polite and respectful when someone offers advice, even if you suspect that it is not accurate. A simple “Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind” can be a gracious way to acknowledge the advice without necessarily acting on it. It is also helpful to establish clear boundaries by stating that you are working with a coach or following a specific training plan. This can discourage unsolicited advice and allow you to focus on your own goals.
Furthermore, it is important to cultivate a discerning approach to advice. Not all advice is created equal, and it is crucial to evaluate the source and the content before incorporating it into your training. Seek out advice from qualified coaches, experienced swimmers, and reputable resources. Be wary of advice that is overly simplistic, contradicts scientific principles, or does not align with your individual needs and goals. Remember, your health and performance are important, so don't put them at risk by taking random advice without validation.
The social dynamic of the pool can also influence the way advice is received. Swimmers who are new to the sport or lack confidence in their abilities may be more susceptible to accepting bad advice, even if they have doubts about its validity. It is important to cultivate self-awareness and develop the ability to critically evaluate information. If something doesn’t feel right or doesn’t seem to align with your understanding of swimming, it is always best to seek a second opinion from a trusted source.
In conclusion, the prevalence of bad swimming advice stems from a variety of factors, including the Dunning-Kruger effect, misunderstanding fundamental principles, prioritizing personal experience over scientific evidence, the illusion of transparency, and the social dynamic of giving advice. By understanding these factors, swimmers can become more discerning consumers of information and prioritize guidance from qualified coaches and reputable resources. Remember, effective swimming technique is based on sound principles and individualized instruction, not just well-intentioned but ultimately misguided advice.
