Interpretation of Propulsive Force in Tethered Swimming Through Principal Component Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Propulsive force in swimming, represented through impulse, is related to performance. However, since the as different biomechanical parameters contribute to impulse generation, coaches have a difficult task when seeking for performance improvement. Objective: Identify the main components involved in impulse generation in the front crawl stroke. Methods: Fourteen swimmers underwent a 10-second all-out fully tethered swimming test. The following parameters were obtained from the force-time curve: minimum force, peak force, mean force, time to peak force, rate of force development and stroke duration. This stage was followed by a principal component analysis. Results: The principal component analysis showed that component 1, predominantly kinetic, was composed of peak force, mean force and rate of force development, and accounted for 49.25% of total impulse variation, while component 2, predominantly temporal, composed of minimum force, stroke duration, and time to peak force, represented 26.43%. Conclusion: Kinetic parameters (peak force, mean force, and rate of force development) are more closely associated with impulse augmentation and, hypothetically, with non-tethered swimming performance. Level of Evidence II; Diagnostic studies - Investigating a diagnostic test.

Anthropometric variables, propulsive force and biological maturation: A mediation analysis in young swimmers

“…Athletes who have already reached PHV respond more effectively to strength training (Moran et al, 2018). In turn, a better capacity to produce force is more closely associated with an increase in impulse and performance in conventional swimming (Andrade, Figueira Júnior, Metz, Amadio, & Serrão, 2018). In addition, body mass also correlated with the estimation of propulsive force (Cochrane et al, 2015) and with better crawl velocity, which is associated with arm propulsive force.…”

SwimOne. New Device for Determining Instantaneous Power and Propulsive Forces in Swimming

“…Propulsive force was recording as average propulsive force ( ) in absolute data [ 4 , 22 , 23 ]. is the more accurate variable for assessing force production in the tethered and semi-tethered swimming test [ 17 ]. In fact, showed a strong relationship with the velocity in 50 m, 100 m, and 200 m freestyle events [ 4 , 19 ].…”

“…The design requirements are: It shall offer configurable swim resistance. The average force exerted by a swimmer in tethered trials are approximately N, depending on the stroke [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. In this way, the resistance force that the device is able to exert has been designed to be into the range [35–153] N. It shall be able to monitor force, displacement, velocity, and instant acceleration to know the swimmer performance.…”

Reliability of a Simple Novel Field Test for the Measurement of Plantar Flexor Muscle Strength

“…This kind of frequent testing implies simple procedures, instruments which are not too expensive, and can be easily used in the conditions other than the laboratory. These procedures must be evaluated, 6,7 and their measurement characteristics described, 8 before recommending them for practical application as a suitable instrument for performance assessment. The aim of this study was to investigate trail to trail, and factorial reliability of PF muscles contractile characteristics using a simple novel field test.…”