Abstract
The aims of this study were to: (1) verify the sex effect; (2) assess upper limb asymmetry in anthropometrics and propulsive force variables; and (3) identify the main determinants of butterfly swim velocity based on a set of anthropometrics, kinematics, and propulsive force variables. Twenty swimmers (10 males: 15.40±0.30 years; 10 females: 14.43±0.23 years) at the national level were recruited for analysis. A set of anthropometrics, kinematics, and propulsive force variables were measured. Overall, a significant sex effect was verified (p≤0.05). Non-significant differences between upper-limbs were noted for males and females in all variables, except for the dF in males (t=-2.66, p=0.026, d=0.66). Stroke frequency presented the highest contribution, where a one unit increase in the stroke frequency imposed an increase of 0.375 m·s-1 (95CI: 0.105;0.645, p=0.010) in the swim velocity. The swim velocity was predicted by the mean propulsive force, intra-cyclic variation of the swim velocity, and stroke frequency. Overall, swimmers exhibit non-significant differences in the variables assessed. Swim velocity in the butterfly stroke was determined by an interaction of propulsive force and kinematic variables in young swimmers.
Highlights
Swimming is characterised as being an early specialization sport [1]
The aims of this study were to: (1) verify the sex effect in the anthropometric, kinematic, and propulsive force variables selected; (2) assess the contralateral asymmetry in the anthropometrics and propulsive force produced by the upper limbs; and (3) identify the main determinants of swim velocity in the butterfly stroke based on a set of anthropometrics, kinematics, and propulsive force variables
The swimmers were recruited from a national team at the end of the second macrocycle (i. e., season’s peak performance, which corresponds to the competitive period)
Summary
Swimming is characterised as being an early specialization sport [1]. To achieve high-performance in adulthood, swimmers must begin training at an early age. Performance of age-group swimmers and its determinants has been extensively studied in the front crawl stroke [2, 3]. There is a scarce body of knowledge on remaining strokes such as the butterfly [4, 5]. Swim velocity depends on the interaction between drag and propulsive forces [6]. The drag and propulsive forces affect the velocity, but they are influenced by butterfly technique, mainly in young swimmers [7]. Better swimming performance was related to higher propulsion continuity while simultaneously minimizing non-propulsive upper body gliding phases [8]
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