How often have you wondered about the differences between male and female athletes, and NOT in a Venus and Mars sort of way?  In most sports, men and women compete in separate events.  In fact, triathlon is one of the few sports where some races start men and women together.  You might argue that it is just not fair if women raced together with men.  But is it always unfair for every sport?  And if it is unfair, is it always by the same amount?  This article looks at this question in detail.

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Q: Would I become a faster swimmer if I let my fingernails grow really long?

A: Well gosh, let’s hope not!  Can you picture someone powering through the water with built-in 12 inch claws at the end of their fingers?  Yuck!  Seriously though, the elite competitive swimmers are divided on this one.  Some purposely keep the nails long, and others cut them so short that their fingers bleed.  It may seem like a slam dunk that longer nails make a larger pulling surface which therefore makes you faster.  However, any gains are limited because the nails are spaced apart.  So water directly under the nails gets caught and helps your propulsion.  But you cannot grab the water between your nails like you can the water between your fingers

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Coach Dobko will pick one of your questions each week and give you some insight into swimming. E-mail your questions to duanesworlddobko@worldnet.att.net.

Many athletes new to swimming get confused about how to do the finish of the stroke.  Throughout the catch and pull, your hand stays at a relatively constant 180 degree angle relative to your forearm.  But if you carry this angle through the finish, you get no extra benefit in the last few degrees of motion as your hand exits the water.

You should change the angle of your hand very quickly from 180 degrees to 90 degrees in the final few inches of the stroke. 

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