Key Parameters Affecting Kick Start Performance in Competitive Swimming.

Ivan Matúš,Bibiana Vadašová,Pavel Ružbarský

doi:10.3390/ijerph182211909

Ivan Matúš, Bibiana Vadašová + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182211909

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Abstract

The study aims to determine the contribution of kinematic parameters to time to 5 m without underwater undulating and kicking. Eighteen male competitive swimmers started from three weighted positions and set the kick plate to positions 1–5. We used SwimPro cameras and the Dartfish© software. In the on-block phase, we found significant correlations (p < 0.01) between the front ankle angle and block time. The correlations between start phases were statistically significant (p < 0.01) between block time and rear ankle angle, respectively, to time to 2 m; rear knee angle and glide time; block time and time to 5 m; time to 2 m and time to 5 m; and flight distance and glide distance. The multiple regression analysis showed that the on-block phase and flight phase parameters, respectively, contributed 64% and 65% to the time to 5 m. The key block phase parameters included block time and rear knee angle. The key flight phase parameters determining time to 5 m included take-off angle and time to 2 m. The key parameters determining the performance to 5 m during the above-water phase include rear knee angle, block time, takeoff angle, and time to 2 m.

Highlights

There was a high degree of correlation between the front ankle angle and block time (r = 0.63) (Table 3)
The results showed that the swimmers produced shorter times to 5 m when they used the rear-weighted kick start from position 3 on the OSB12 starting block
Of all the weighted starts and kick plate positions, our swimmers produced the shortest times to 5 m when they used the rear-weighted kick start from position 3 on the OSB12 starting block

Summary

Introduction

The swimming start phase of a race is the time from the starting signal to when the center of the swimmer’s head reaches the 15 m mark [4]. The block phase begins when the swimmer assumes the basic starting position after the “Take your marks” command, followed by the starting signal and the swimmer’s movement on the starting block. This phase ends when the swimmer’s feet leave the block [5]. The underwater phase is the time from when the swimmer enters the water to when the swimmer resurfaces to begin free swimming [7]. Swimmers can produce the highest take-off horizontal velocity of approximately 4.48 m/s, which is more than twice the velocity of swimming [8]

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