Abstract
This study compared the effects of two breathing conditions during the freestyle turn approach phase in swimmers. Thirty-four prepubertal swimmers (mean ± SD: 10.59 ± 0.97 years) were divided into two groups: No Breath (NB), not breathing at the last stroke, and Breath Stroke (BS). Swimmers performed three turns with 5 min of rest between the repetitions. Kinematic parameters were recorded with two underwater and two surface cameras. Total turn time (NB: 9.31 ± 1.34 s; BS: 10.31 ± 1.80 s; p = 0.049), swim-in time (NB: 3.89 ± 0.63 s; BS 4.50 ± 0.79 s; p = 0.02) and rotation time (NB: 2.42 ± 0.29 s; BS: 3.03 ± 0.41 s; p = 0.0001) were significantly shorter and swim-in distance [NB: 0.70 (0.58,0.77) m; BS: 0.47 (0.34,0.55) m; p = 0.0001], glide distance (NB: 1.06 ± 0.21 m; BS: 0.70 ± 0.20 m; p = 0.0001) and surfacing distance [NB: 1.79 (1.19,2.24) m; BS: 1.18 (0.82,1.79) m; p = 0.043] were significantly longer in NB than in BS. Moreover, speed-in (NB: 1.04 ± 0.14 m/s; BS: 0.93 ± 0.14 m/s; p = 0.031) and push-off speed (NB: 2.52 ± 0.30 m/s; BS: 1.23 ± 0.20 m/s; p = 0.001) were significantly higher in NB than in BS. Swim-in time was positively and negatively correlated with rotation time and glide distance, respectively, whilst negative relationships between total turn time and swim-in distance, total turn time and surfacing distance and total turn time and speed-in were found. Our study showed that in prepubertal swimmers not breathing at the last stroke during the approach phase positively affected kinematic parameters of the turn, allowing to approach the wall faster, rotate the body quicker, increase push-off speed, reduce turn execution time, thus improving overall turn performance.
Highlights
The swim race consists of start, clean swimming, turns and finish
Our study showed that in prepubertal swimmers not breathing at the last stroke during the approach phase positively affected kinematic parameters of the turn, allowing to approach the wall faster, rotate the body quicker, increase push-off speed, reduce turn execution time, improving overall turn performance
The statistical analyses showed that total turn time was significantly lower in No Breath (NB) group (9.31 ± 1.34 s) than in Breath Stroke (BS) group (10.31 ± 1.80 s) [t(30) = 29.89, p = 0.049, g = 0.58], as well as the swim-in time [NB group 3.89 ± 0.63 s; BS group 4.50 ± 0.79 s; t(30) = −2.41, p = 0.02, g = 0.85], whereas the swim-in distance was significantly higher in the NB group [0.70 (0.58, 0.77) m] than in the BS group [(0.47 (0.34, 0.55) m] (Z = −3.69, p = 0.0001,η2 = 0.424)
Summary
Previous studies showed that in freestyle races swimmers spend from ≈20 to ≈37% of total race time in executing swimming turns in 100 and 1,500 m races, respectively (Morais et al, 2019, 2020). The high relevance of turn outcome in swimming performances suggests that coaches and swimmers should dedicate a significant portion of the training to perfect this action. The tumble turn, known as freestyle turn, involves different phases: the approach to the wall, the turn or rotation to reorient the body in preparation for swimming the lap (tumble), the push-off or wall-contact, the glide, the underwater propulsion and the stroke resumption (Puel et al, 2012; Weimar et al, 2019). Considering that the turn outcome significantly contributes to overall swimming performance (Morais et al, 2019, 2020), it is of great importance to identify what variables can enhance turning skill
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