Dataset Information

Pacing the phasing of leg and arm movements in breaststroke swimming to minimize intra-cyclic velocity fluctuations.

ABSTRACT: In swimming propelling efficiency is partly determined by intra-cyclic velocity fluctuations. The higher these fluctuations are at a given average swimming velocity, the less efficient is the propulsion. This study explored whether the leg-arm coordination (i.e. phase relation ?) within the breaststroke cycle can be influenced with acoustic pacing, and whether the so induced changes are accompanied by changes in intra-cyclic velocity fluctuations. Twenty-six participants were asked to couple their propulsive leg and arm movements to a double-tone metronome beat and to keep their average swimming velocity constant over trials. The metronome imposed five different phase relations ?i (90, 135, 180, 225 and 270°) of leg-arm coordination. Swimmers adjusted their technique under the influence of the metronome, but failed to comply to the velocity requirement for ? = 90 and 135°. For imposed ? = 180, 225 and 270°, the intra-cyclic velocity fluctuations increased with increasing ?, while average swimming velocity did not differ. This suggests that acoustic pacing may be used to adjust ? and thereby performance of breaststroke swimming given the dependence of propelling efficiency on ?.

SUBMITTER: van Houwelingen J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5638342 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Pacing the phasing of leg and arm movements in breaststroke swimming to minimize intra-cyclic velocity fluctuations.

van Houwelingen Josje J Roerdink Melvyn M Huibers Alja V AV Evers Lotte L W LLW Beek Peter J PJ

PloS one 20171012 10

In swimming propelling efficiency is partly determined by intra-cyclic velocity fluctuations. The higher these fluctuations are at a given average swimming velocity, the less efficient is the propulsion. This study explored whether the leg-arm coordination (i.e. phase relation ϕ) within the breaststroke cycle can be influenced with acoustic pacing, and whether the so induced changes are accompanied by changes in intra-cyclic velocity fluctuations. Twenty-six participants were asked to couple the ...[more]

PMID: 29023496

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Project description:The purposes of this study were to establish test-retest reliability of calculating load-velocity profiles in front crawl swimming using five and three different external loads, and if outcome results were comparable between calculation methods for monitoring performance over time. Fifteen swimmers at either national or international competition level (seven females and eight males) participated in this study. The subjects performed 25 m of semi-tethered swimming with maximal effort with five progressive loads (females 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 kg and males 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 kg) as well as 50 m maximal front crawl on 2 different days. The mean velocity during three stroke cycles in mid-pool was calculated and plotted as a function of the external load. Relationship between the load and velocity was expressed by a linear regression line and established for each swimmer. The intercepts between the axes of the plot and the established regression line were defined as theoretical maximum velocity (V0) and load (L0). In addition, L0 was also expressed as a percentage of body mass (rL0). The coefficient of determination (R2) and the slope (Slv) of the linear load-velocity relationship were calculated. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) showed excellent agreement (ICC ≥0.902) for all variables. The coefficient of variation was ≤3.14% and typical error was rated as "good" in all variables. A difference was found between day 1 and 2 in V0 for three- and five-load calculations and for 50 m front crawl time (p < 0.05). No difference was found between the load-velocity profile outcomes variables compared between the three- and five-trial protocols on neither day 1 nor 2. The Bland-Altman plots showed a small bias across all resistance conditions for five loads, L0: 0.04 kg, rL0: 0.13%, V0: -0.03 m/s, and Slv: 0.003 -m/s/kg and for three loads, L0: -0.24 kg, rL0: -0.27%, V0: -0.04 m/s, Slv: 0.002 -m/s/kg. In conclusion, the load-velocity profile for front crawl swimming can be calculated with high reliability from both five and three external loads and comparable results in outcome variables were established. These methods can be used to monitor performance parameters over time, and to investigate and compare swimmers' velocity and strength capabilities to allow for individualized training prescription to improve performance.

Dataset Information

Pacing the phasing of leg and arm movements in breaststroke swimming to minimize intra-cyclic velocity fluctuations.

Publications

Pacing the phasing of leg and arm movements in breaststroke swimming to minimize intra-cyclic velocity fluctuations.

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