Swimmer's Daily

DARPA zaps snipers’ brains to induce flow, cut down training time

rokur — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:25:31 +0000

Interesting article here on NewScientist, on how (mad?) scientists are learning to harness “flow”, by telling for instance swimmers to focus on the water’s movement around their limbs, rather than on the limbs. And by running electricity through the brain.

Weisend, who is working on a US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency programme to accelerate learning, has been using this form of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to cut the time it takes to train snipers. From the electrodes, a 2-milliamp current will run through the part of my brain associated with object recognition – an important skill when visually combing a scene for assailants.

The mild electrical shock is meant to depolarise the neuronal membranes in the region, making the cells more excitable and responsive to inputs. Like many other neuroscientists working with tDCS, Weisend thinks this accelerates formation of new neural pathways during the time that someone practises a skill. The method he is using on me boosted the speed with which wannabe snipers could detect a threat by a factor of 2.3 (Experimental Brain Research, vol 213, p 9).

Mysteriously, however, these long-term changes also seem to be preceded by a feeling that emerges as soon as the current is switched on and is markedly similar to the flow state. “The number one thing I hear people say after tDCS is that time passed unduly fast,” says Weisend. Their movements also seem to become more automatic; they report calm, focused concentration – and their performance improves immediately.

Image courtesy of Chuck Holton, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Off the deck – 60 days until trials

rokur — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:01:28 +0000

Courtesy of Swim Ontario

Keri-Anne Payne reveals setback in Olympic preparation

rokur — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:53:28 +0000

Two-time world 10K open water champion Keri-Anne Payne has revealed that the triumphs of 2011 have left her struggling for fitness in this crucial Olympic year. Via SkySports

“I’ve not had as good a start to the season as I had last year. Unfortunately I’ve had a string of injuries – I had a bad back, bad shoulder and a bad neck. I’m hoping it’s just a case of my body winding down from last season because it was such a great season.”

Jack Conger sets Olympic goals

rokur — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:36:30 +0000

According to The Washington Post, Good Counsel swimmer Jack Conger is often referred to as “the next Michael Phelps,” breaking national records and everything. In this video he talks about his background and goals.

Josh Hutcherson and The Rock freedive in new film Journey 2

rokur — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:09:28 +0000

The pair dive 100 feet down into the sea without the aid of a scuba tank as they search for Captain Nemo’s legendary submarine, Nautilus. Vanessa Hudgens also stars in the movie, doing underwater stunts that she wasn’t really comfortable with. Via mb.com

“Shooting the underwater sequences was tough because I don’t do well in water. A lot of people feel really comfortable but I do not. I do not like being underwater. I hate getting my face wet so it was difficult for me but it was such an incredible experience looking over and seeing Michael Caine underwater acting with me. It was such an odd experience. I do not know how many people can say they have done that. It was so cool.”

Via The Sun

Florida’s exclusive underwater burial ground

rokur — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:57:50 +0000

Three miles off the coast of south Florida and forty feet below the surface is a man-made, pristine reef where, several times a month, divers come to deposit stone urns containing ashes of the recently departed. This underwater burial ground near Miami was created by the Neptune Society, says Martha Porter, on of the group’s counselors:

“The deep-sea divers go down with your ashes mixed with cement, and they place it in selection spots you made. So, if you have an affinity for water, it’s a great way to go – and people love it.”

Reard more here on Public News Service

Winter swimming in Russia

rokur — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:48:55 +0000

What’s with that cross in the far end of the pool ? :-)

Andrew Lauterstein – It’s Time

rokur — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:04:46 +0000

Ehh, I guess a plug for maybe Engine Swim Australia ?

Andrew Lauterstein – It’s Time from Julian Lucas on Vimeo.

Diana Nyad presenting her 2012 Xtreme Dream Swim Jellyfish Armor

rokur — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:35:11 +0000

“It’s the jellyfish, that is what it is all about” :-)

CC photo #39: Shanghai Oriental Sports Center at night

rokur — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:11:05 +0000

Photo taken after the last night of the 14th FINA World Aquatics Championships in Shanghai, China. Big building to the right is the arena that hosted the pool swimming and syncro competitions, the one to the left the natatorium hosting the water polo competitions, and the blue thing in the background the diving arena.