Final answer:
In the recovery phase, it's important to maintain an efficient body pitch or angle to reduce drag, conserve energy, and ensure a smooth, streamlined motion through the water.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering pitch in the recovery phase, especially in the context of swimming, it's important to remember that maintaining an efficient body position is crucial for reducing drag and conserving energy. Good pitch refers to the body's angle relative to the surface of the water. You want your body to remain as horizontal as possible, which minimizes resistance and allows for streamlined movement through the water.
The recovery phase is part of the stroke cycle where limbs that have just applied force to propel the swimmer forward return to the initial position to start the next stroke cycle. During this phase, unnecessary movements should be avoided. Too much deviation in your pitch can lead to increased drag and wasted energy, which ultimately slows you down and can impact your overall performance and endurance.
Therefore, it's essential not only to focus on the force applied during the power phase of the stroke but to also maintain a consistent angle and minimize extra movements during the recovery phase, thus ensuring a smooth and efficient return of the limbs to their starting position.