Search

In this study we aim at investigating the applicability of underwater 3D motion capture based on submerged video cameras in terms of 3D accuracy analysis and trajectory reconstruction. Static points with classical direct linear transform (DLT) solution, a moving wand with bundle adjustment and a moving 2D plate with Zhang's method were considered for camera calibration. As an example of the final application, we reconstructed the hand motion trajectories in different swimming styles and qualitatively compared this with Maglischo's model. Four highly trained male swimmers performed butterfly, breaststroke and freestyle tasks. The middle fingertip trajectories of both hands in the underwater phase were considered. The accuracy (mean absolute error) of the two calibration approaches (wand: 0.96 mm – 2D plate: 0.73 mm) was comparable to out of water results and highly superior to the classical DLT results (9.74 mm). Among all the swimmers, the hands' trajectories of the expert swimmer in the style were almost symmetric and in good agreement with Maglischo's model. The kinematic results highlight symmetry or asymmetry between the two hand sides, intra- and inter-subject variability in terms of the motion patterns and agreement or disagreement with the model. The two outcomes, calibration results and trajectory reconstruction, both move towards the quantitative 3D underwater motion analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Index of Coordination (IdC) and the propulsive phase durations can differentiate performance level during a maximal 400-m front crawl swim trial. Sixteen male swimmers constituted two groups based on performance level (G1: experts; G2: recreational). All participants swam the 400-m front crawl at maximal speed. Video analysis determined the stroke (swimming speed, stroke length, stroke rate) and coordination (IdC) parameters for every 50 m. Both stroke and coordination parameters discriminated performance level. The expert group had significantly higher values for speed and stroke length and lower values for the relative propulsive phase duration and IdC (p < .05). However there was no significant change in coordination parameters for either group throughout the trial. This suggests that, when associated with greater stroke length, catch-up coordination can be an efficient coordination mode that reflects optimal drag/propulsion adaptation. This finding provides new insight into swimmers' adaptations in a middle-distance event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Speed in aquatic locomotion is determined by stroke distance and stroke rate, but it does not always follow that an increase in stroke rate will lead to an increase in speed. Kleshnev (2006) developed a method to evaluate the relationship between speed and stroke rate during rowing - the effective work per stroke. In this case study, the effective work per stroke was determined for a male world-class 100-m breaststroke swimmer for seven races in major championships and compared between: each of the seven races; each quarter within each race; and the best swims of this case study and seven other world-class swimmers. The effective work per stroke was related to race performance, with the fastest race having the highest effective work per stroke and lowest stroke rate, with slower races having low effectiveness and high stroke rate (R2 = 0.85). The effective work per stroke was reduced in a race as the swimmer fatigued. The within-race standard deviation of effectiveness was lower in fast swims (R2 = 0.84). This analysis has identified some characteristics of fast swimming: high effectiveness, optimal stroke rate, and a flat effectiveness profile. Training and racing strategies can now be devised to improve performance by increasing the sensitivity of assessment of strengths and weaknesses in individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess stroke rate variability in elite female swimmers (200-m events, all four techniques) by comparing the semi-finalists at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games (n = 64) and semi-finalists at the French National 2004 Championship (n = 64). Since swimming speed (V) is the product of stroke rate (SR) and stroke length (SL), these three variables and the coefficient of variation of stroke rate (CVSR) of the first and second 100 m were determined (V1, V2; SR1, SR2; SL1, SL2; CVSR1, CVSR2) and differences between the two parts of the events were calculated (ΔV; ΔSR; ΔSL; ΔCVSR). When the results for the four 200-m events were analysed together, SR1, SR2, SL1, and SL2 were higher (α = 0.05, P < 0.001) and ΔV, ΔSR, and ΔCVSR were lower (P < 0.01) in the Olympic group than in the National group. The Olympic-standard swimmers exhibited faster backstrokes and longer freestyle strokes (P < 0.05). Both CVSR1 and CVSR2 were lower for freestyle and backstroke races in the Olympic group than in the National group (P < 0.001). Our results suggest that stroke rate variability is dependent on an interaction between the biomechanical requisites of the task (techniques) and the standard of the swimmer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined arm and leg coordination and propulsion during the flat breaststroke in nine elite male and eight elite female swimmers over three race paces (200 m, 100 m and 50 m). Coordination was expressed using four temporal gaps (T1, T2, T3, T4), which described the continuity between the propulsive phases of the limbs, as recorded on a video device (50 Hz). Glide duration was denoted T1, the time between the beginning of arm and leg recovery was denoted T2, the time between the end of arm and the leg recovery was denoted T3, and the time between 90° of flexion during arm recovery and 90° during leg recovery was denoted T4. Using these temporal gaps, four stroke phases (propulsion, glide, recovery and leg insweep) could be followed over a complete arm and leg stroke. The total duration of arm and leg propulsion was assessed by a new index of flat breaststroke propulsion (IFBP). Velocity, stroke rate and stroke length were also calculated for each pace. The elite swimmers showed short T2, T3 and T4; moreover, T1 decreased when the pace increased. Expertise in the flat breaststroke was thus characterized by synchronized arm and leg recoveries and increased continuity in the arm and leg propulsions with increasing velocity. Differences between the sexes in the spatio-temporal parameters were possibly due to anthropometric differences (the men were heavier, older and taller than the women) and different motor organization linked to arm and leg coordination (shorter T3, body glide and body recovery, and greater body propulsion and higher IFBP in the men). The men's propulsive actions showed greater continuity, particularly in the sprint. The best men adopted a superposition coordination and thus had the ability to overcome very great active drag. Temporal gap measurement and the IFBP are practical indicators of arm and leg coordination and propulsion that can be exploited by coaches and swimmers to increase the continuity between propulsive actions during the flat breaststroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The processes of talent detection and early development are critical in any sport programme. However, not much is known about the appropriate strategies to be implemented during these processes, and little scientific inquiry has been conducted in this area. The aim of this study was to identify variables of swimming, ball handling and physical ability, as well as game intelligence, which could assist in the selection process of young water-polo players. Twenty-four players aged 14-15 years underwent a battery of tests three times during a 2-year period, before selection to the junior national team. The tests included: freestyle swim for 50, 100, 200 and 400 m, 100-m breast-stroke, 100-m 'butterfly' (with breast-stroke leg motion), 50-m dribbling, throwing at the goal, throw for distance in the water, vertical 'jump' from the water, and evaluation of game intelligence by two coaches. A comparison of those players eventually selected to the team and those not selected demonstrated that, 2 years before selection, selected players were already superior on most of the swim tasks (with the exception of breast-stroke and 50-m freestyle), as well as dribbling and game intelligence. This superiority was maintained throughout the 2 years. Two-way tabulation revealed that, based on baseline scores, the prediction for 67% of the players was in agreement with the final selection to the junior national team. We recommend that fewer swim events be used in the process of selecting young water-polo players, and that greater emphasis should be placed on evaluation of game intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performances often vary between the heats and finals of breaststroke swimming competitions possibly because the swimmers try to conserve their energy, or for other tactical reasons. Additionally, coaches might advise either a 'positive' or 'even' pace race strategy during the final. The effect of such pacing changes on metabolism (blood lactate, heart rate, ventilation), ratings of perceived exertion, stroke kinematics and turning times have not been investigated. Nine male competitive breaststroke swimmers swam three paced (Aquapacer™) 200-m trials, 48 h apart and in random order, at 98%, 100% and at an attempted 102% of their maximal 200-m time-trial speed. Responses in metabolic variables were similar between the 98% and 100% trials, but higher post-exercise blood lactate concentrations and respiratory exchange ratios were observed following the 102% trial. As the pace of trials increased, stroke rate was found to increase proportionately with stroke count. However, during the latter stages of the 100% trial, a disproportionate increase in the stroke count was observed, which led to a significant pacing error. This feature was more obvious in the 102% trial, where participants demonstrated 'positive pacing' and reported higher ratings of perceived exertion than for the 98% trial. During the early stages of the trials, turning times were initially shorter the faster the pace of the trial; however, as the trials progressed, this pattern was found to reverse. We conclude that a slight reduction in pace during near maximal breaststroke swimming altered kinematic but not post-exercise metabolic responses, while an increase in pace led to positive pacing and an increase in both kinematic responses and anaerobic metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to analyse stroke phases, arm-leg coordination and trunk motion fluctuation during breaststroke in elite male and female 50, 100 and 200m events at the 9th FINA World Swimming Championships, Fukuoka 2001. Four phases of the arm stroke and three phases of the leg kick as well as phases of simultaneous arm and leg propulsion and recovery were identified from video of swimmers' motions below the surface. The duration of each phase was expressed as a proportion of the whole stroke cycle. Three measures of the arm-leg coordination, percent simultaneous arm-leg recovery time (%SRT), percent arm lag time (%ALT) and percent simultaneous arm-leg propulsion time (%SPT) were calculated. Mean mid pool swimming hip velocity (V), stroke rate (SR) and stroke length (SL) were also calculated. In addition, the intro-cycle hip velocity of the swimmers was obtained by cinematographic analysis. The SR decreased and SL increased significantly as the event distance increased. For the arm-leg coordination the %ALT %SPT and %SRT indicated significant differences between event, gender and performance level. In particular, for increasing event distance and for the higher performing swimmer the lower the %SPT and the higher the %SRT In addition, the range of the intro-cycle hip velocity fluctuation in the lower performing group was greater than the higher performing group. The non-propulsive phase seems to be a key factor for better performance. The breaststroke swimmers must avoid rapid deceleration during the non-propulsive phase by adopting a low resistance posture and stroking technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generally, swimmers pace themselves using their own judgement and the poolside clock during swimming training, fitness testing protocols or scientific investigation. The Aquapacer™ is a new pacing device that can be used to pace the swimming speed or stroke rate of the swimmer. The aims of this study were to determine if breaststroke swimmers could pace accurately during submaximal swimming using a poolside clock (Study 1) and the Aquapacer™ (Study 2), at swimming speeds at, just above and just below maximal 200 m time-trial speeds (using the Aquapacer™, Study 3) and under three different race pacing conditions (using the Aquapacer™, Study 4). Between 8 and 15 male national or club standard 200 m breaststroke swimmers participated in each of the studies. The swimmers in Study 2, despite being less well trained than the swimmers in Study 1 and part of a more heterogeneous group in terms of swimming performance, repeatedly demonstrated less random error in pacing, suggesting that the Aquapacer™ may be preferable to the poolside clock when swimmers are being required to pace accurately. The Aquapacer™ also enabled swimmers to pace accurately at racespecific swimming speeds (until fatigue precluded them from holding pace) (Study 3), and through a change in pace at race-specific speeds (Study 4), which suggests that it may be of use in entraining racing strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinematic analysis of competition breaststroke swimming has tended to focus on the mean values of swimming speed, stroke rate and stroke length; values in individual lengths, as well as the start, turns and finish, have largely been ignored. This study includes all such variables and aims to improve the coach's holistic understanding of breaststroke racing by determining the relationships and diff erences between and within these selected kinematic variables. We also compare 100-m events with 200-m events to determine if there are characteristic diff erences between them. Competitive breaststroke swimming performances in 100-m events (males: n = 159, finishing time = 65.05 ± 2.62 s; females: n = 158, finishing time = 74.04 ± 3.66 s) and 200-m events (males: n = 159, finishing time = 141.47 ± 6.15 s; females: n = 158, finishing time = 158.66 ± 7.87 s) were collected and analysed from 12 world, international and national championships. The better 100-m and 200-m breaststroke swimmers were found to demonstrate greater competency in the kinematic variables measured, except stroke kinematics, which were unique to each individual. These findings suggest that coaches should place emphasis on all of the kinematic components in training and that they should attempt to identify the stroke rate to stroke length ratio most appropriate for the individual. Finally, characteristic diff erences do exist between the 100-m and 200-m events, which has implications for how swimmers might train for each event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to establish differences in intra-cyclic horizontal velocity variation of the body's centre of mass in breaststroke swimmers with flat and undulating styles. Vertical eel-like body waving and trunk rotations were measured to distinguish styles. To reconstruct trunk extension and kyphosis in the poorly visible zone close to the water surface, a semi-automated video-analysis system was developed. From 45 internationallevel swimmers examined, two groups of women and two groups of men were identified, those using the most undulating and those using the flattest styles. Among the men with the flattest style, the maximum and minimum horizontal velocity of the body's centre of mass differed by 76% from the mean swimming velocity; among the women with the most undulating style, the figure was 53%. In the most undulating style, less horizontal velocity variation of the body's centre of mass could be explained by movements of the body parts above the water surface, creating a transfer of momentum: a quick backward upper trunk rotation generates resistance and a quick forward shoulder girdle and upper arm movement, followed by a quick forward upper trunk and head rotation, generates propulsion. In addition, during an upward leg kick, some swimmers generated propulsion similar to that seen in eels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]