Arm coordination in elite backstroke swimmers

Abstract

In this study, we assessed arm coordination in the backstroke over increasing speeds by adapting the index of coordination originally used in the front crawl. Fourteen elite male backstroke swimmers swam four trials of 25 m at the speeds corresponding to the 400-m, 200-m, 100-m, and 50-m events. The six phases of the arm stroke were identified by video analysis and then used to calculate the index of coordination, which corresponded to the time between the propulsive phases of the two arms. With increases in speed, the elite swimmers increased the stroke rate, the relative duration of their arm pull, and their index of coordination, and decreased the distance per stroke (P < 0.05). Arm coordination was always in catch-up (index of coordination of -12.9%) because the alternating body-roll and the small shoulder flexibility did not allow the opposition or superposition coordination seen in the front crawl. This new method also quantified the relative duration of the hand's lag time at the thigh, which did not change ( approximately 2%) with increasing speed for the elite swimmers. The index of coordination enables coaches to assess mistakes in backstroke coordination, particularly in the hand's lag time at the thigh.

Comparison of age of peak swimming speed in elite backstroke swimmers at national and international level

“…Further studies should include data about body height and weight, body fat and other 55,56 . Furthermore, data about training strategies to improve swimming techniques 47,48,[57][58][59][60][61] to optimise recovery phases 18,62 and warming-up phases 63,64 which have an effect on swimming performances were not registered. Information about motivation and goal orientation was not recorded.…”

Comparison of advanced and intermediate 200-m backstroke swimmers' dominant and non-dominant shoulder entry angles across various swimming speeds

“…Cappaert et al (1996) found opposing hip/ shoulder rotation in less successful backstroke swimmers, increasing resistive drag. Inefficient utilization of the body roll in intermediate swimmers may affect the positioning of the hand in preparation for the next stroke, which may cause the beginning of the propulsive phase to be lost (Chollet et al, 2008). Hay (1988) stated that this phase of propulsion was effective as the swimmer uses the moving hand in the anteroposterior axis to propel the body forward.…”

“…Previous research has identified kinematic differences in stroke mechanics between advanced and intermediate swimmers in all strokes (Cappaert, Pease, & Troup, 1996;Chollet et al, 2008;Leblanc, Seifert, Baudry, & Chollet, 2005;Leblanc, Seifert, & Chollet, 2009;Lerda & Cardelli, 2003;Seifert, Delignieres, Boulesteix, & Chollet, 2007). Although not focusing on shoulder entry angle, Cappaert et al (1995) reported that the hips and shoulders of elite swimmers rotate more symmetrically and with greater amplitude than those of novice swimmers, resulting in differences in body alignment and greater efficiency of propulsion (Kolmogorov, Rumyantseva, Gordon, & Cappaert, 1997).…”

“…The majority of the power in backstroke is produced by the alternating arm technique, while its horizontal streamlined body position aids efficiency. The legs kick in an alternating action to help balance the action of the arms (Chollet, Seifert, & Carter, 2008). Maglischo (2003) divided the stroke into seven individual phases: entry and stretch, first downward sweep, catch, first upward sweep, second downward sweep, second upward sweep, release and exit and recovery.…”

Análisis cinemático de la salida con empuje en nadadores competitivos de nivel nacional

“…Sin embargo, en la literatura, los datos hallados por García y Veiga (2015) sobre la transición hasta un ciclo de nado podrían aproximarse en parte, ya que también realizaron la fase con empuje al igual que nuestro estudio. Pero la velocidad mostrada por ambos autores en los estilos de crol (1,72 m/s), mariposa (1,68 m/s) y espalda (1,63 m/s) fueron superior a la de otros estudios (Seifert, Chollet y Bardy, 2004;Seifert et al, 2007;Chollet, Carter y Seifert 2006;Chollet, Seifert y Carter, 2008). Además, las diferencias entre las velocidades pudieron estar marcada por el elevado tiempo y la distancia entre el movimiento ondulatorio subacuático y la transición, lo cual redujo la velocidad de espalda, ya que sí la comparamos con la velocidad del nado en superficie (1,24±0,04 m/s), los nadadores del estudio apostaron más por una fase de buceo más larga.…”