We all know how important it is to have proper fitting footwear for our sporting endeavors. But did you ever think that you’d be wearing shoes in the pool? American Olympic swimmer Amanda Weir has been using running shoes in her pool training to help improve her lower body strength for kicking. According to her coach, shoes are a great form of resistance training; they add a strain on the swimmer’s legs that forces them to develop more powerful muscles and better endurance. Kicking with shoes means that swimmers can retain a full range of movement so they develop strength alongside ankle flexibility. There also seems to be a mental or perceptual benefit to training with shoes in that when they come off, the feet feel lighter and faster, and have a better grip on the water.
So next time you are looking to throw a little change into your swimming routine, pack your shoes and try it out.
Reference from the SIRC Collection: Savage Hays, Kelsey (2010). If the Shoe Fits… Splash, 18(3), 32-33.
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