The most important flexibility test that we have our athletes undergo is streamline test (aka combined elevation test). It’s the best indicator of a swimmer’s ability to achieve a high elbow position during the pull phase. The video above has been taken from the Art Of Triathlon Swimming – watch as Australian swim team physio Helen Walker takes professional triathlete Clayton Fettell through this very test.
More than 90% of elite swimmers and triathletes that we’ve worked with can achieve a range of 20 degrees or more. We recommend a minimum of 10 degrees as the desired range for age group triathletes. This range of motion allows a swimmer to effectively press the water back during the pull phase of their stroke. We cover this in more detail including the other tests we take our athletes through in the new Art Of Triathlon Swimming program.
