| abstract
| - The Sprint Trainer (software) allows the swim coach to have the functional task of the timing of the workout sets done by the computer. It sets the swimmers off, keeps the interval on the correct timing, accurately times and gives the swim times to the swimmers, restarting the next repeat on time, keeping track of the number of repeats and informing the swimmers of their performances in relation to the other swimmers doing the set. This allows the coach to "actually do some coaching" with these swimmers or even to work with another group as the computer runs this part of your workout. The primary function is to serve as a coaching assistant by running a single lane for a group of swimmers. The system will stage the swimmers for the start, set them off with a voice command start, “Take your marks,” or an optionally selected ready "beep tone," followed by a “start beep.” It handles up to 8 swimmers, displaying all of the times on a computer screen. After the start, the system times each swimmer by using a “mini touch pad” that is made by Colorado Timing Systems. We use the small mini touch pad (30” X 22”) by placing it on the swimmers’ right side of the lane for the swimmers to finish on. This gives room on the left side of the lane for the swimmers to push off and turn without activating the computer timing functions. If the touch pad is not hooked up, you can get times using the space bar. The computer screen allows for quick programming of sets with the variables: number of repeats, repeat interval, start interval (time between swimmers), number of swimmers, minimum acceptable time, and maximum acceptable time. You can display each swimmers time for 1 to 8 swimmer in “Grid Mode,” or you can have an unlimited number of swimmers in list mode—displaying the last three times. While we have named the system SprintTrainer, it is certainly not limited to all sprint type sets. Although we think that the primary use will be to use it for sprint sets. In most programs, large numbers of quality sets for sprinters with realistic starts and accurate timing are just not possible. In fact, ONE coach, by themselves, can’t even execute most of the sets for a GROUP of sprinters. For example: 10 X 50 @ 1:00 with a dive in a 25 yard pool, for 5 college or high school swimmers, with ten seconds between starts, accurate starts, accurate timing, first 25 at race pace with a foot touch time, then a recover 25, swimming back to the start end. It can’t be done with ONE coach!!! SprintTrainer will run it for you! One of my favorite: 3 X (3 X 100 @ 2:30 or 3:00, cycle 3, with a 100 easy after each sub-set of 3. All dives—except the 100 loosen in between sub-sets. Cycle 3 is first 100 with priority focus of Distance per Cycle with moderate tempo, second 100 is 25 Open at race pace—DPC on middle 50—25 Close with limited breathing, third 100 is best time possible. Not just for sprinters, example: 15 X 100 @ 1:45 with a drop push in a 50 meter pool, with eight seconds between drop push starts for 8 swimmers with grid displayed times. After a short time of using the SprintTrainer, you will develop an endless number of technically sound set protocols for your program. Program Example: Three different sprint sets of about 20 minutes each once a week: a different set on each of three days per week. I would love to see a club team work this with five or six, 13-14 boys for six weeks. I think they would have great time improvements in their 50, 100 and 200 events. Our initial trials found that young male swimmer in particular are really motivated by the competition of the displayed times for comparison—coaches: you don’t even have to encourage it—it just happens!!! Some Additional Uses for the SprintTrainer. You can run an interval DRYLAND PROGRAM with it. For example, having twenty stations that change on 1:15, or another interval you wish. It can be used as a PACE CLOCK for straight runs or even variable numbers of repeats with any time interval. You can use it with multiple displays with VGA cables. Make a large TV into a pace clock! Another use is to use it as a Sprint Lane Controller for SWIM MEET WARM-UPS. Put the settings for “list mode” and with a start interval of 10 seconds, and a maximum time of 20 seconds for the 25 yard swim. Every 10 seconds a swimmer will be start with the speaker under the blocks and their time will be displayed at the other end—the coaches are free to time breakouts, tempo, count cycle or whatever. Large teams can have lots of swimmers in warm up and still have them get accurate times. The spacing of exactly 10 second intervals also adds an element of safety to the warm up process. If a start is skipped, the computer will zero out the time after the minimum time passes with a touch—so it does not interrupt the timing flow. What You Get With SprintTrainer. The seven components of the system include: 1.SprintTrainer Software, and upgrades to the software for 1 year.* 2.Black Box Interface with USB cable. Interface between touch pad and computer. 3.Speaker—the highest quality, outdoor speaker available, with push fitting installed—by 4J! 4.200 Feet (for 25 yard to 50 meter pools) of outdoor, burial quality speaker cable (between computer and speaker). Simple push fittings for speaker side interface. 5.200 Watt, 2 Channel, Digital Amplifier with power supply. 6.Audio interface cable/plugs between computer output and amplifier input. 7.Colorado Timing System Mini Touch Pad with banana fittings to interface box.
* Software has been tested on Windows 7 & 8. PC needs a USB port for the touch pad, and sound out port available. Cost of the SprintTrainer $1400 List Price, plus shipping
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