Abstract
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n3p311 The aim of this study was to compare coordination index, propulsive time, duration of stroke phases and kinematic parameters over 200 m front crawl. Variables were compared among four sections of 50 m (T1 to T4) in fifteen competitive swimmers (age: 21.1 ± 7.1 years; height: 180.1 ± 6.1 cm; height: 187.3 ± 8, 1 cm; body mass: 72.1 ± 10.1 kg; better performance in the race: 77.5 ± 4.7% of the world record). Data were obtained with two video cameras (60 Hz - coupled to a cart on rails on the side of the pool) for simultaneous images of the swimmer’s sagittal plan: below the water line and above the water line. Mean stroke rate stroke length, assumed as the mean distance traveled per cycle, and mean swimming speed were obtained with manual timing. Over the 200 m, the coordination index remained unchanged (p >0.05), but there was an increase in the frequency of cycles (p <0.05) and reduction of distance traveled per cycle (p <0.05). Between T1 and T2, there was an increase in the propulsive time (p <0.05) and between T1 and T4, there was an increase in the length of the pull phase (p <0.05). The swimming speed decreased only between T1 and T2 (p <0.05). Over 200 m front crawl, well-trained swimmers increment propulsive time and pull phase duration and frequency of stroke cycles, and such changes may be due to the speed maintenance attempt over the 200 m.
Highlights
The performance in swimming can be described as the ability to swim the prescribed distance according to the rules in the shortest time possible[1,2], being dependent on biomechanical, physiological, anthropometric, psychological factors[3]
From the temporal relationship between phases of both arms, the coordination of stroke movements in front crawl can be described from three models: (1) opposition: the propulsive phase of an arm starts at the end of the propulsive stage of the other (IdC = 0%); (2) capture: shows a time with no propulsion between the end of the propulsive phase of an arm and the beginning of the propulsive phase of the other arm (IdC < 0%), and (3) overlap: the beginning of the propulsive phase of an arm occurs before the end of the propulsive phase of the other arm (IdC > 0%)[6]
Knowing the importance of biomechanical parameters for the best swimming performance, the aim of this study was to compare the coordination index, the time spent for propulsion per distance unit, duration of stroke phases, the average cycle frequency of strokes, the average distance traveled by the body every cycle and the average swimming speed over 200 m in front crawl at maximum intensity
Summary
The performance in swimming can be described as the ability to swim the prescribed distance according to the rules in the shortest time possible[1,2], being dependent on biomechanical, physiological, anthropometric, psychological factors[3]. From the temporal relationship between phases of both arms, the coordination of stroke movements in front crawl can be described from three models: (1) opposition: the propulsive phase of an arm starts at the end of the propulsive stage of the other (IdC = 0%); (2) capture: shows a time with no propulsion between the end of the propulsive phase of an arm and the beginning of the propulsive phase of the other arm (IdC < 0%), and (3) overlap: the beginning of the propulsive phase of an arm occurs before the end of the propulsive phase of the other arm (IdC > 0%)[6]. Stroke in front crawl they can be divided into four stages: hand entry in the water and support, pull, push, and recovery. The pull and push phases are assumed to be responsible for the swimmer’s propulsion, and the entry, support and recovery phases are considered non-propulsive phases of the stroke[7,8,9]. The time spent for propulsion per distance unit (Tprop) recently proposed by Alberty et al.[10] estimate the time required for propulsion per each swimming section
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