Swimming Start Research Articles

Is Warm-Up Preservation Modulated by Biological Maturation and Sex? Effects on Lower Limbs Performance.

Children and adults may react differently to warm-up preservation due to different physical characteristics. This study aimed to: (i) assess the impact of different rewarm-up routines in swimmers during a transition phase (20-25 min), including passive rest (SWU) or dynamic activities (RWU), on countermovement jump and swimming start performances, and (ii) explore potential RWU adaptations considering maturity offset (peak height velocity-PHV) and sex. Performance was analyzed using mixed effect ANCOVA, considering protocol, maturity offset (pre-PHV, mid-PHV, post-PHV, and adv. post-PHV), and sex. Results favored RWU over SWU with substantial magnitudes for jump height: pre-PHV (min-20, ES = 1.21; min-25, ES = 1.65), mid-PHV (min-20, ES = 1.23; min-25, ES = 1.14), post-PHV (min-20, ES = 1.37; min-25, ES = 0.73), and adv. post-PHV (min-20, ES = 1.03; min-25, ES = 0.65). Significant interactions at 25 min (p = 0.033, 0.047) showed that RWU outperformed SWU, especially in younger groups (pre-PHV, mid-PHV). RWU was superior to SWU for the reactive strength index at 20 min (p = 0.042) and 25 min (p = 0.047), with females having lower RSI than males at 20 min (p = 0.008, p = 0.015) and 25 min (p = 0.049) in later developmental stages. The flight distance (p = 0.009) and horizontal hip velocity (p = 0.014) revealed significant three-way interactions, with the male adv. post-PHV group responding better to RWU. Knee angular velocity was also higher after RWU, with male adv. post-PHV group showing more pronounced improvements (p = 0.016). These results suggest that though RWU had higher influence in male adults, it is a valuable approach for varying ages athletes.

Enhancing the starting performance of elite swimmers through eight weeks of lateral entry training

ABSTRACT This study aims to explore the effects of 8 weeks of lateral entry training on the start performance of elite athletes and its impact on ordinary entry performance. Data were collected from 12 elite-level participants before and after the training using Kistler(9691A1) system with 3D force platform and high-speed cameras. 19 parameters of ordinary and lateral entry were assessed and analysed using paired samples t-tests. Compared to ordinary entry, the lateral entry performance was characterised by: decrease of both vertical force (5.77%) and maximum depth (6.09%) at a significance level (p < .01), and increase of flight distance (4.33%), first kick distance (3.90%) and push force (14.06%) at (p < .05). The results show that, compared to an ordinary entry technique, the lateral entry technique provides a 3.93%, 6.14%, and 8.29% reduction in time to reaching a 5 m, 10 m and 15 m distance (p ≤ .01), showing performance improvements at start times. The 8-week training on the lateral entry technique did not have a significant impact on the time performance of the ordinary entry technique (p > .050). The findings presented herein offer pertinent insights for elite-level athletes, coaches and future investigations aimed at enhancing swimming start techniques and performance.

Effects of anodic transcranial direct current stimulation combined with physical training on the performance of elite swimmers.

Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) has been used to improve athletic performance in various populations; however, its role in improving performance in elite athletes is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a-tDCS on athletic performance in elite athletes. We used a single-blind, randomized controlled experimental design and recruited 24 national-level freestyle swimmers from China. All athletes were randomly divided into two groups; the experimental group underwent a-tDCS (current 2mA for 20min) combined with physical training, and the control group underwent a-tDCS sham stimulation combined with physical training. The physical training program was identical in the experimental and control groups. The intervention period was 6weeks, with five weekly sessions of 110min each, consisting of 20min of a-tDCS and 90min of physical training. Base strength, explosive strength, aerobic endurance, and anaerobic endurance were measured in the athletes before and after the intervention. The results were as follows. 1) Basic strength: There was a significant improvement in 5RM pull-ups in the experimental and control groups before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). 2) Explosive strength: There was a significant improvement in vertical jump and swimming start distance into the water in the experimental and control groups before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). 3) Aerobic endurance: There was no significant improvement in the experimental and control groups before and after the intervention. 4) Anaerobic endurance: There was a significant improvement in 400m running performance in the experimental and control groups before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). Compared to physical training alone, a-tDCS combined with physical training can better improve the athletic performance of high-level swimmers, especially in basic strength, explosive strength, and aerobic endurance.

Relationship of muscle strength, power, and leg flexibility with the swim start of the butterfly style

This study aims to explore the relationship between leg muscle strength, leg power, and leg flexibility with the butterfly swimming start ability. A descriptive method with correlational study technique was used with a population consisting of Swimming Association athletes, and a sample of 12 male athletes who met the age and swimming ability criteria set. Data were collected through surveys, tests, and measurements, then analyzed using the product moment correlation technique and test-retest for validity and reliability. The results showed a significant relationship between leg muscle strength, leg power, and leg flexibility with the butterfly swimming start ability, with leg power showing the strongest relationship. Specifically, leg muscle strength had a correlation of 66.67%, leg power had a correlation of 83.33%, and leg flexibility had a correlation of 50.00% with the butterfly swimming start ability. These findings provide valuable insights for coaches and athletes in designing more effective training programs to enhance butterfly swimming start ability. Keywords: strength, power, flexibility, swimming start

Swim start and performance in 50 m freestyle in different age categories of competitive swimmers

Background and Study Aim. In international races, the winners are decided by hundredths of a second, which is why the swim start plays an important role, especially in the sprint disciplines. The aim of the study is to reveal the differences in kinematic parameters of start and performance in the sprint 50 m freestyle discipline based on gender in different age categories of competitive swimmers at international competitions organized in Slovakia. Material and Methods. The sample consisted of 180 females and 189 males who were divided into age categories (K1, K2, K3). SwimPro cameras and Dartgish software were used to monitor kinematic parameters. The parameters monitored were - block time (BT), time (FT) and distance (FD) of flight, time (UWT) and distance (UWD) underwater, time to 15 m (T15), 25 m (T25) and 50 m (T50). Data were tested by Shapiro-Wilk, Kurskal-Wallis ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U test in Statistica 13.5. Results. In the phase above water level, there were greater differences (p&lt;0.01) in females than in males. Inter-sex differences (p&lt;0.01) were evident in FT in K3, K2 and in FD across all categories. In the underwater phase, differences (p&lt;0.01) were evident in both sexes. Inter-sex differences were more evident in UWT (p&lt;0.01) than UWD (p&lt;0.05). There were inter-sex differences (p&lt;0.01) in ST and SD between all categories except K3. At T15, T25 and T50, differences (p&lt;0.01) were most pronounced between K3 and K2, K1 in females and between all categories in males. Inter-sex differences (p&lt;0.01) were also evident across all categories. Conclusions. The study highlighted differences in 50m freestyle start and performance between age groups and gender, so coaches are advised to design training sessions for swimmers separately.

Moonless night sky increases Isistius species (cookiecutter shark) and live human contact.

The nocturnal feeding behavior and zoogeographical habitat of cookiecutter sharks Isistius brasiliensis and Isistius plutodus (Isistius spp.) greatly reduces interaction of this species with live humans. Attacks on live humans are exceedingly rare with 7 cases reported worldwide, 6 of them in Hawai'i, and 5 of these occuring among channel swimmers. Published research suggests that periods of bright moonlight may increase Isistius spp. contact with live humans and does not otherwise identify significant trends or risk factors. Yet 5 of the 6 Isistius spp. bites on live humans in Hawai'ian waters occurred with the moon set and after nautical twilight end and before nautical twilight start. From 1961-2023 in Hawai'i, 129 successful solo channel crosses and 5 Isistius spp. related injuries in the habitat of cookiecutter sharks were analyzed across two groups: one where both the moon and sun were set (dark group) and one where the moon and/or sun was in the sky (light group). There was a significant difference for swimmers bitten by Isistius spp. in the dark 4 (12%) versus light groups 1 (1%), p = 0.012, RR 12.6 (95% confidence interval: 1.5-108.9). Swim start time and year was also significant (Pearson correlation 0.566, p <0.001). Swimmer gender and use of shark deterrent devices and artificial illumination were not significant. The growing popularity of channel swimming in Hawai'i and swim start times have contributed to an increasing likelihood of live human and Isistius spp. contact and a moonless night sky is a significant risk factor for this interaction.

Performance analysis of 10-12-year-old adolescent Chinese in swimming start and turn: A pilot study

Performance analysis of 10-12-year-old adolescent Chinese in swimming start and turn: A pilot study

Do the Deaf Swimmers Need Assistant Tool When Doing a Swimming Start?

Do the Deaf Swimmers Need Assistant Tool When Doing a Swimming Start?

Inter-Segmental Coordination of the Swimming Start among Paralympic Swimmers: A Comparative Study between S9, S10, and S12 Swimmers

The swimming start, which involves interactions with both water and air, has predominantly been studied primarily in terms of spatio-temporal parameters, while its motor control aspects have received limited attention. This study aims to investigate and compare the coordination patterns between the arm and trunk, as well as the thigh and trunk, in S9, S10, and S12 Paralympic swimmers using the continuous relative phase. The study included twenty-one Paralympic swimmers, and the results showed significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) from spm1d (ANOVA) in both arm-trunk and thigh-trunk CRP among the three classes of swimmers. Significant differences were observed in the arm-trunk CRP during the initial (0–8% of time) and end (30–41% of time) parts of the block phase. Both of these two differences are from the comparison of S10 and S12. The thigh-trunk CRP also showed significant differences at the end of the block phase (35–41% of time) and during the flight phase before entry (58–61% of time). Significant differences were observed in post hoc tests between S9 and S10 and between S12 and S10 for the first significant difference. The second significant difference was found between S12 and S10. The results indicate that Paralympic swimmers classified as S9, S10, and S12 tend to exhibit distinct inter-segmental coordination patterns during the dive start. By recognizing different patterns of motor coordination, coaches and trainers can develop individualized training methods to optimize the start performance for swimmers with different impairments (different classifications) and maximize their competitive potential.

The kinematic profile of ventral swimming start: sex diversity.

It has been suggested that sex distinctions in physiology may affect the swimming performance of each sex differently. Yet, sex-based performance dependency has not been taken into consideration by most of the researchers evaluating swimming start. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to determine the effect of sex heterogeneity on the spatiotemporal characteristics of swimming start by investigating the determinants of its performance. A total of fifty-two international-level swimmers (thirty females and twenty-two males) performed three repetitions of the kick-start up to the 15-m mark. During trials, data were collected using video cameras and instrumented starting block. To search for evidence of differences between the two groups, the one-way ANOVA was conducted. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated between measurements widely used to describe overall starting performance and selected kinematical variables of swimming start. A sex effect was exposed for temporal variables describing all swimming start phases (p ≤ 0.015). Male swimmers, by spending less time during the push-off from the starting block (p = 0.002; η p 2 = 0.18), reaching higher take-off velocity (p < 0.001; η p 2 = 0.29), traveling longer distances during flight (p < 0.001; η p 2 = 0.40), and swimming faster in the water phase (p < 0.001; η p 2 = 0.40), took starting advantage over their female counterparts. Consequently, performance measures such as 5-m, 10-m, and 15-m start times indicated that male participants were faster than females (p < 0.001; η p 2 ≥ 0.40). Only in the group of male swimmers a significant correlation between variables describing overall starting performance (5-m, 10-m, and 15-m times), and variables commonly highlighted as starting performance determining factors (block phase duration, take-off horizontal velocity, and flight distance) was found. The current study shows that the spatiotemporal variables of swimming start, the relation between them as well as overall starting performance, vary by sex. Consequently, the requirement of sex factor and its heterogeneity effect should be included not only in detailed characteristics of separate variables but also in all approaches undertaken. Those findings seem to play a crucial role mainly in swimming start evaluations in post-pubertal age groups of swimmers.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOWER-BODY MAXIMUM STRENGTH AND SWIM START PERFORMANCE IN YOUTH ELITE SWIMMERS

Swimmers reach the highest accelerations during starts. These are initiated by a high amount of force produced by the lower limbs in a short amount of time. It is established in senior athletes that there is a relationship between lower-body maximum strength and swim start performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between lower-body maximum strength and swim start performance up to 5 and 15 m in elite youth swimmers. Twenty-two (10 females, 12 males) well-trained adolescent swimmers executed a one repetition maximum (1RM) back squat test, a counter movement jump (CMJ), a squat jump (SJ) test, and two trials of a swim start following a freestyle sprint up to 15 m. Bivariate Pearson correlation analyses were used to assess the relationship between strength and jumping performance and start performances up to 5 and 15 m. The level of significance was set at p &lt; .05. Strength and jumping performance explained 55–73% of the variance in start performance up to 5 and 15 m. Strong correlations were found between resulting forces on the block and times to 5 and 15 m as well as between 1RM back squat test, CMJ, and SJ and times to 5 and 15 m (all between r = –.75 and r = –.86; p &lt; .01). This study demonstrates that strength parameters of the lower limbs affect jumping performance off the block in swimming. Therefore, these parameters are usable predictor variables in assessing start performance up to 5 and 15 m in swimmers.

Analysis Of The Need For Start Assistants For Deaf Swimmers

Persons with disabilities were people who had long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory limitations. People with disabilities were divided into several types, namely physical disabilities, sensory disabilities, mental disabilities, and intellectual disabilities. Deaf people are included in sensory disabilities who have limited senses. So people with disabilities need special assistance, especially in starting swimming. The purpose of this study was to determine whether deaf swimmers need a swimming start aid. The research method used was a descriptive method with a survey technique. The time of study was carried out in 2022 starting from April to July. The location for data collection was carried out at the Senen Jakarta swimming pool. The population and samples used were athletes with hearing impairment in DKI Jakarta, totalling 20 people using total sampling. The research instrument used was a questionnaire to analyze the need for start aids for deaf swimmers by having three indicators as a decision maker on whether or not to use start aids for deaf swimmers. The data analysis technique used was the descriptive analysis technique. The results showed that deaf swimmers needed a start aid. Further research is expected to be able to make starting aids that can be used by deaf swimmers to achieve optimal performance.

The Effect of Post-Activation Potentiation on Swimming Starts in Adolescent Swimmers.

Post-activation potentiation (PAP) is a phenomenon in which there is an increase in induced momentum in sporting activities after muscle contractions. In swimming, the start of the race and the increase in speed in its first few meters are important. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the PAP protocol, which included a simulated body weight start on the ground, on the swimming start and on the 25 m freestyle performance. The study included 14 male and 14 female swimmers, 14.9 ± 0.6 years old. All the swimmers performed three maximal attempts of 25 m freestyle swimming from the starting block on three different days in a randomly counterbalanced order. In each session, swimmers performed either a 25 m freestyle without any intervention before the swimming trial (CG), or performed four vertical simulated ground starts at maximal effort, 15 s before (15 sG) or 8 min before (8 minG) the swimming trial. The jump height, entry distance, flight time, and flight speed for each attempt were calculated. The CG entry distance was significantly longer than that of the 15 sG and 8 minG (3.39 ± 0.20 vs. 3.31 ± 0.21 and 3.25 ± 0.25 m, respectively, p < 0.001). Four simulated swim starts on the ground, 15 s or 8 min before the swim sprint, had no positive effect on the swim start or swim performance, and it is up to the swimmer to perform these jumps.

The effect of the horizontal vs. vertical PAPE protocol on the swim start performance in adolescent male

ABSTRACT Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) is referred to enhancement in muscular performance due to high-intensity voluntary contractions. This study aimed to examine the effect of the horizontal vs. vertical PAPE protocol on the start performance in swimming. Sixteen swimmers (age: 13.71 ± 0.95 years; height: 169.43 ± 9.68 cm; body mass: 58.47 ± 7.64 kg) performed three warm-up protocols: (i) a swim-specific warm-up (SWU); (ii) back squat (BS) followed SWU (SWUB); (iii) barbell hip thrust (BHT) followed SWU (SWUH) which consisted of 1 set of 3 reps at 80% 1RM. Rest times are evaluated individually. The findings of this study indicate that SWUB has no beneficial effect on any phase in all examined parameters, while SWUH has a slight improvement only in the take-off phase compared to SWUB (p < 0.05). BHT is better compared to BS as a PAPE stimulus for swimming, but there is no positive effect on 50 m swimming time compared to SWU (p > 0.05). In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, the effect of BHT as a PAPE stimulus was investigated for swimming for the first time, but results show that neither BS nor BHT has a positive effect on 50 m swimming performance.

The effects of lower extremity muscle strength characteristics on grab and track start performance in young competitive swimmers

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist regarding segmental contributions of lower extremity muscles to the swim start performance during different start techniques in young swimmers. OBJECTIVE: To determine the differences in the kinematic parameters between the grab start (GS) and track start (TS) techniques and assess the interactions between the lower limb muscle strength and swim start performance. METHODS: A total of 40 swimmers, 20 girls (age: 13.70 ± 1.80 y, height: 161.65 ± 8.28 cm, body weight: 53.70 ± 8.65 kg) and 20 boys (age: 13.90 ± 1.45 y, height: 160.95 ± 12.70 cm, body weight: 52.95 ± 12.64 kg), 13–16 y of age, at the competitive level were recruited. Ankle, hip, and knee muscles were tested isokinetically at 60∘/s and the tests were spread over 24 h to avoid fatigue. Several elements relating to GS and TS were measured using a motion pick-up video camera. RESULTS: The angle of entry (EA) at water and knee joint angle (KA) were significantly greater during GS both for boys (EA: 44.18 ± 1.07∘ vs. 43.03 ± 1.28∘; KA: 112.10 ± 15.25∘ vs. 107.21 ± 21.13)∘ and girls (45.09 ± 1.28∘ vs. 43.36 ± 1.55∘; KA: 103.08 ± 11.21∘ vs. 97.45 ± 19.52∘, p&lt; 0.05). Flight time (FT), flight distance (FD), KA, and flight velocity (FV) were significantly higher for boys both during GS and TS, whereas EA was significantly lower for boys during GS compared to girls (p&lt; 0.05). Lower limb strength performance was positively significantly correlated with FT, FD, and FV both during GS and TS (p&lt; 0.05). Hip muscle strength was inversely correlated with the EA both during GS and TS (p&lt; 0.05). The combination of the knee, ankle, and hip extensor and flexor muscle strengths had a greater effect during GS (35% vs. 29%) in RT, (48% vs. 46%) in FT, (59% vs. 57%) in FD, and (63% vs. 57%) in FV compared to the TS. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating lower body strength training into the swimming training schedule may improve swim start performance variables during grab start and track start techniques.

Brainstem circuits encoding start, speed, and duration of swimming in adult zebrafish

The flexibility of locomotor movements requires an accurate control of their start, duration, and speed. How brainstem circuits encode and convey these locomotor parameters remains unclear. Here, we have combined invivo calcium imaging, electrophysiology, anatomy, and behavior in adult zebrafish to address these questions. We reveal that the detailed parameters of locomotor movements are encoded by two molecularly, topographically, and functionally segregated glutamatergic neuron subpopulations within the nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus. The start, duration, and changes of locomotion speed are encoded by vGlut2+ neurons, whereas vGlut1+ neurons encode sudden changes to high speed/high amplitude movements. Ablation of vGlut2+ neurons compromised slow-explorative swimming, whereas vGlut1+ neuron ablation impaired fast swimming. Our results provide mechanistic insights into how separate brainstem subpopulations implement flexible locomotor commands. These two brainstem command subpopulations are suitably organized to integrate environmental cues and hence generate flexible swimming movements to match the animal's behavioral needs.

Pattern-Matching Kinematic Analysis of Glide Phase after Start with Different Techniques in Medley Swimming: An Olympic Champion Case

<strong>Background:</strong> The analysis of kinematic characteristics in the glide phase after the start of swimming is significantly valuable for the technical optimization of competition. However, in the traditional analysis of kinematic parameters in time series are generally similar in the time axis, but their corresponding relationship is unknown. <strong>Objective:</strong> The objective of this study is to identify the difference in kinematic parameters in underwater phases of hands-free start and hands-together start by using a case of an Olympic champion in men’s 200 m individual medley competition, through the dynamic time warp (DTW) pattern-matching approach. <strong>Methods:</strong> An Olympic gold medal winner in the men’s 200 m individual medley competition is the subject of this study. The start techniques of hands-together and hands-free were included in the comparison. A Marker-Free Subaqueous Motion Recognition System was used to capture the motion, and nonlinear regressions between each kinematic parameter were made according to their theoretical physical relationships. And the DTW was applied to conduct the pattern matching. <strong>Results:</strong> The majority of the resistance loads on the swimmer’s body in the subaqueous glide phase is the pressure drag of the water, and the swimmer will have a higher instantaneous and average velocity at the end of the start when the swimmer keeps his or her hands together and arms straight forward in the subaqueous glide phase due to the dynamic benefit prepared during the whole glide phase. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> A start technique with hands-together and arms straight forwards could create mechanical and kinematical advantages for the swimmer, and the advantages might come from the optimal preload for the muscle activation at the end of the glide phase.

Physiological Dynamics of the Rheological Properties of Erythrocytes in Young Men Involved In Swimming

The parameters of erythrocytes largely determine the processes of blood movement through small vessels and metabolism in tissues. The study included 37 young men who during the past life showed low muscle activity and, at their own request, started regular swimming lessons 3 times a week. The control group consisted of 42 young men who, before being included in the study, went in for swimming for at least 5 years at least 3 times a week. Traditional hematological, biochemical and statistical research methods were used. Weakly physically trained young men before the start of swimming had an increased amount of altered forms of erythrocytes in the blood, which negatively affected their microcirculation. After six months of swimming in the blood of young men, the level of arachidonic acid derivatives normalized, the content of cholesterol molecules and acyl hydroperoxides in erythrocytes decreased, and phospholipids increased in their membranes. In the blood of swimmers, the number of discoid erythrocytes increased and the number of erythrocytes with an altered shape decreased. The control group, which had a long experience in swimming, was characterized by a high preservation of the shape of erythrocytes and an optimum of biochemical parameters taken into account. By the end of the observation, the novice swimmers showed the output of erythrocyte and biochemical parameters to the level of the control group.

The characteristics of the breaststroke pullout in elite swimming

Since the rule change permitting the inclusion of one dolphin kick during the underwater breaststroke pullout phase following a swim start or turn, there has been an emergence of several different pullout techniques adopted by elite swimmers. The aim of this study was to characterize the underwater breaststroke pullout technique trends and to assess the effectiveness of each technique as utilized by elite male and female swimmers. The sample included 60 swimmers (n = 26 male, n = 34 female) competing across the 50, 100, and 200 m long-course breaststroke final races from the World Championships 2015, 2017, 2019 and Olympic Games 2016. An above-water camera was used to identify and measure the different phases of the underwater pullout techniques, which was found to be a highly accurate methodological approach (ICC = 0.97). From the 150 trials analyzed, three different pullout techniques were identified: the Fly-Kick First technique, the Combined technique and the Pull-Down First technique. Although the most common underwater pullout technique utilized by elite competitive breaststroke swimmers was the Combined technique (n = 71), followed by the Fly-Kick First technique (n = 65) and the Pull-Down First technique (n = 14), it was observed that technical selection deviates according to gender. This indicates that male and female swimmers should not be coached adhering to the same technical model. This study found no significant difference in terms of performance outcome with respect to each of these techniques, indicating that technique selection should be guided by one's individual preference. It was concluded that the results of this study will serve as an up-to-date resource for coaches and swimmers working with elite breaststroke swimmers and as a useful insight to current underwater pullout trends.

The effects of post-activation performance enhancement and different warm-up protocols on swim start performance

This study aimed to examine the effects of post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) on swim start performance and lower body power performance after different warm-up protocols. Ten male national-level swimmers performed three different warm-ups: (i) a swim-specific warm-up (SW, control protocol); (ii) PAPE (an experimental protocol); and (iii) SW followed by PAPE (SW + PAPE, an experimental protocol). PAPE consisted of performing three series of 5 drop jumps. A repeated-measures ANOVA showed significant differences between the protocols in the swim start performance (F = 8.89; P < 0.001) and countermovement jump (F = 2.22; P = 0.047). SW + PAPE induced greater improvements in swim start time to 15 m (ES = − 0.47, P = 0.017) and entry time (ES = − 1.83, P < 0.001), the countermovement jump reactive strength index modified (ES = − 1.83, P < 0.001), eccentric rate of force development (ES = 0.69, P = 0.047), and index of explosive strength (ES = 0.94, P = 0.005) compared to SW. The current findings of this study indicate that the drop jump PAPE protocol, in addition to SW, is an effective tool because it could improve athletes' capacity for a more efficient swim start and their countermovement jump performance. Furthermore, the results of this study indicate that PAPE induced by drop jumps could be time-efficient and practically applicable in facilities with limited resources.