Abstract
This study aimed to identify the biomechanical features of backstroke to breaststroke transition techniques (open, somersault, bucket, and crossover) in age-group swimmers. Eighteen preadolescent swimmers (12.2 ± 0.4 years old and 3–4 Tanner stages) underwent 4 weeks of systematic contextual interference training, comprising 16 sessions (40 min·session−1). Soon after, experimental testing was conducted where swimmers randomly performed 12 × 15 m maximal turns (composed of 7.5 m turn-in and 7.5 m turn-out of the wall segments), three in each transition technique. Kinematical, kinetic, and hydrodynamic variables were assessed with a dual-media motion capture system (12 land and 11 underwater cameras), triaxial underwater force plates, and inverse dynamics. Variables were grouped in turn-in (approach and rotation) and turn-out (wall contact, gliding, and pull-out) phases, with factor analysis used to select the variables entering on multiple regressions. For the turn-in phase, 86, 77, 89, and 87% of the variance for open, somersault, bucket, and crossover turning techniques, respectively, was accounted by the 7.5 and 2.5 m times, mean stroke length, and rotation time. For the turn-out phase, first gliding distance and time, second gliding depth, turn-out time, and dominating peak_Z push-off force accounted for 93% in open turn, while wall contact time, first gliding distance, breakout distance and time, turn-out time, dominating peak_Y push-off force, and second gliding drag coefficient accounted for 92% in a somersault turn. The foot plant index, push-off velocity, second gliding distance, and turn-out time accounted for 92% in bucket turn while breakout and turn-out time, non-dominating peak_Y and peak_Z push-off force, first and second gliding drag force and second gliding drag coefficient accounted for 90% in crossover turn, respectively. The findings in this study were novel and provided relevant biomechanical contribution, focusing on the key kinematic–temporal determinant during turn-in, rotation, and push-off efficacy, and the kinetic and hydrodynamic during turn-out, which would lead to improved backstroke to breaststroke transition techniques in 11–13 years-old age-group swimmers.
Highlights
Performing fast and skilled turning actions, and start and swim phases, is fundamental for improving competitive swimming performance (Arellano et al, 1994; McGibbon et al, 2018; Zacca et al, 2020a)
Key biomechanical variables related to swimming turn performance have been studied using temporal, kinematic (Blanksby et al, 2004; Araujo et al, 2010; Pereira et al, 2015), kinetic (Prins and Patz, 2006; Pereira et al, 2015; Chainok et al, 2021), and hydrodynamic data (Benjanuvatra et al, 2001; Vilas-Boas et al, 2010; Chainok et al, 2021), but no study has examined the biomechanical determinants for optimal backstroke to breaststroke transition performance. Knowing that this information is a key factor for coaches when planning their specific training activities, we aimed to identify the key biomechanical variables that affect the performance in the four backstroke to breaststroke transition techniques in age-group swimmers
Our results from the turnout phase highlighted the importance of the interaction between kinematic and kinetic variables at the wall contact and push-off phase, which influenced turn-out performance across all backstroke to breaststroke turns studied
Summary
Performing fast and skilled turning actions, and start and swim phases, is fundamental for improving competitive swimming performance (Arellano et al, 1994; McGibbon et al, 2018; Zacca et al, 2020a). Conclusive information on the 200- and 400-m individual medley events, in which butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle swim in this order, is limited. Extensive research is required to identify the key biomechanical variables and their respective contributions to each transition technique (Chainok et al, 2021). There are four well-described backstroke to breaststroke transition techniques (the open, the somersault, the bucket, and the crossover), which are very complex movements (i.e., performed in different planes and axes). Studies on the backstroke to breaststroke transition techniques are scarce, lacking scientific and practical validation of the specific determinant factors that play a vital role in gaining the advantage in each backstroke to breaststroke transition techniques
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