In this study, we compared adolescents’ actual (expert assessed) front crawl swimming skills to their self-assessment in two conditions: in standard swimming (wearing a swimsuit and goggles) and in a simulated risk scenario (swimming in plain clothes without goggles). We postulated that education focused on water competencies is fundamental in preventing drownings. Experts evaluated the skills of 21 female and 21 male adolescents in both standard and challenging conditions. All were low-skilled swimmers aged 14–15 years. Participants were asked to self-assess their skills before and after each trial. Boys and girls covered the same distance in both trials. Their self-assessment did not change regardless of the difficulty of the conditions. Girls assessed themselves more accurately than boys. However, boys who underestimated their skills showed greater ability to utilise the experience gained from performing the task for a more accurate self-assessment. In conclusion, adolescents should be educated in total water competencies, and not merely in swimming skills. For girls, “water readiness” is thought to broaden their ability to adapt their swimming skills to nonstandard conditions. Aquatic education for boys should focus on developing self-reflection in order to create a long-lasting responsibility using their own swimming skills.
The current study examined the back plate position impact on the block phase movement pattern and total starting performance with a distinction for sex. Thirty-eight swimmers performed starts changing the back plate position (preferred position, one position forward and one position backward), with the data being assessed using a 3D dynamometric central and a video camera. In males, the 15 m start time was 0.1 s shorter for the preferred position compared with the backward position (p < 0.05). Regardless of the back plate positioning, the swimmers spent a similar time on the block. A more forward position of the back plate postponed the rear foot take-off and consequently reduced the front foot stand duration. A back plate position effect was revealed for those variables with a larger effect size in males whereas in females, a change of about two positions was needed to reach a significance level. Probably due to the specification of physical domains, a greater impact on the changes introduced was noted for males. Therefore, whilst searching for the optimal starting position, adjustments to the back plate placement might affect a greater number of males than females. To reinforce the starting optimization during the training process and its monitoring, the effect of personal preference toward the starting block setting was also considered.
Purpose. The aim of this study was to analyze selected kinematics parameters of standard front crawl swimming technique and its variants, the "kayaking" and "loping", in order to estimate the differences that can determine swimming effectiveness and efficiency Methods. Eighteen swimmers, divided equally into three groups, took part in the research. The first group was composed of individuals who favored the standard technique, the second group used the "kayaking" variant and the third one swam in the "loping" variant. All swimmers were instructed to swim the 50 m freestyle with their technique of choice at maximum velocity. Analysis of kinematic parameters (time, average swimming velocity), swimming cycle parameters (stroke length, stroke rate), and the swimming efficiency coefficient (stroke index) was calculated using SIMI's 2D reality Motion Systems software. Results. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test found statistically significant differences in the studied parameters between the standard technique (S) and the "kayaking" (K) and "loping" (L) variants in the time to swim 25 m ( S = 15.472 s, K = 13.540 s, L = 14.108 s), and between (S) and (K) in the 15 m swim time ( St = 9.598 s, Kt = 8.593 s) and average swimming velocity ( Sv = 1.562 m/s, Kv = 1.757 m/s). Conclusions. Analysis of the differences in the kinematic parame ters that define front crawl swimming technique finds justification in the need to modify the standard technique of the propulsive movement used in swimming towards those that employ the "kayaking" and "loping" variants as they are more effective in affecting swimming velocity.
Purpose. The aim of this study was to compare the ability of monofin swimmers in reproducing the bending forces that act on a monofin's surface through the specific leg movement present in swimming as well as the forces that the swimmers generated on a kinesthesiometer as part of a dry-land simulation trial. Methods. Six men, members of the National Monofin Swimming Team, took part in the study. The level of the swimmers' kinesthetic response was defined by examining their repeatability in producing the bend forces that act on a monofin's surface as a reaction to water resistance and by investigation on the pressure force generated by a swimmer's lower limbs during dry-land tests on a kinesthesiometer. Results and conclusions. It was established that a high level of kinesthetic response, estimated in the group of monofin swimmers, was the result of an adaptation evoked from the specificity of their sensory stimulus perception, received in the form of feedback from the monofin's large surface area.
A diver's face‐mask normally makes close objects in clear water appear both enlarged and too near. Objects travelling across the line of sight therefore appear to move faster than in air, and objects moving along the line of sight slower. Subjects estimated the speed of a moving rod in air and water, before and after a 10 min. period spent swimming and playing a pegboard game under water. Twenty subjects were tested with the rod moving across, and 20 with it moving along, the line of sight. In both conditions subjects showed the expected directions of speed distortion in water, with significant adaptation and after‐effects after 10 min. submersion. The results are consistent with the assumption that the type of speed perception measured here is largely dependent on size and distance perception, and that speed adaptation follows automatically from the correction of the spatial metric.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.