Front crawl is generally faster than butterfly, especially over longer distances.
While the butterfly stroke can achieve bursts of high speed, the recovery phase significantly slows it down. This makes it less efficient than the front crawl for sustained swimming. The butterfly stroke also demands considerably more physical exertion, contributing to its slower overall pace.
Here's a breakdown:
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Front Crawl (Freestyle): Emphasizes a continuous, alternating arm motion and a rhythmic kick, allowing for a more streamlined and efficient body position in the water. The near-constant propulsion results in higher average speeds.
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Butterfly: Requires a simultaneous arm motion and a dolphin kick, which, while powerful, create significant speed fluctuations. The recovery phase, where the arms are brought forward over the water, causes a temporary drop in speed. The greater energy expenditure also limits the distance swimmers can maintain top speeds.
| Stroke | Speed | Energy Expenditure | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Crawl | Generally Faster | Lower | Longer |
| Butterfly | Slower Overall | Higher | Shorter |
In summary, although butterfly can be impressive in short bursts, front crawl's efficiency and continuous motion make it the faster stroke for most distances.
