Michel Chrétien, a former swimming coach, was known for his innovative methods and dedication to improving the performance of his swimmers. He was particularly fascinated by the technique of the underwater phase of a swim, known as the “coulée”, which can give a swimmer a competitive edge by allowing them to imitate the movements of a dolphin. One of his star pupils, Jérémy Stravius, was a master of this technique and proved its effectiveness in competition.
When Chrétien trained Stravius in Amiens, he used simple yet effective methods to analyze and improve his swimmer’s performance. Placing cameras underwater and using graduated poles to measure depth, Chrétien was able to meticulously analyze each aspect of Stravius’ dives and underwater movements. This crafty approach to coaching laid the foundation for future advancements in swimming technology and training methods.
Nowadays, at the National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance (Insep), coaches like Chrétien have access to state-of-the-art facilities to analyze and improve their swimmers’ techniques. With a 50-meter pool equipped with 20 cameras, coaches can now track every movement of the swimmers in real-time and provide instant feedback for improvement.
The advancements in technology have revolutionized the way swimming is coached and analyzed. With tools like the Neptune project, which aims to develop tools for managing races and improving swimmers’ performance, coaches can now rely on data and scientific measurements to enhance their training programs. This data-driven approach has become increasingly popular in swimming and has proven to be instrumental in helping swimmers reach their full potential.
Swimmers like Maxime Grousset have benefitted greatly from these technological advancements. The ability to analyze their dives, underwater phase, and stroke techniques through video analysis has helped them make significant improvements in their performance. The integration of technology in swimming training has become an essential tool for coaches and swimmers alike, allowing them to fine-tune their techniques and reach new levels of excellence.
