Coordination Pattern Variability Provides Functional Adaptations to Constraints in Swimming Performance

Abstract

In a biophysical approach to the study of swimming performance (blending biomechanics and bioenergetics), inter-limb coordination is typically considered and analysed to improve propulsion and propelling efficiency. In this approach, 'opposition' or 'continuous' patterns of inter-limb coordination, where continuity between propulsive actions occurs, are promoted in the acquisition of expertise. Indeed a 'continuous' pattern theoretically minimizes intra-cyclic speed variations of the centre of mass. Consequently, it may also minimize the energy cost of locomotion. However, in skilled swimming performance there is a need to strike a delicate balance between inter-limb coordination pattern stability and variability, suggesting the absence of an 'ideal' pattern of coordination toward which all swimmers must converge or seek to imitate. Instead, an ecological dynamics framework advocates that there is an intertwined relationship between the specific intentions, perceptions and actions of individual swimmers, which constrains this relationship between coordination pattern stability and variability. This perspective explains how behaviours emerge from a set of interacting constraints, which each swimmer has to satisfy in order to achieve specific task performance goals and produce particular task outcomes. This overview updates understanding on inter-limb coordination in swimming to analyse the relationship between coordination variability and stability in relation to interacting constraints (related to task, environment and organism) that swimmers may encounter during training and performance.

Individual–Environment Interactions in Swimming: The Smallest Unit for Analysing the Emergence of Coordination Dynamics in Performance?

“…The main issue was to distinguish the propulsive and non-propulsive phases of the arm stroke to establish the most effective propulsion when a swimmer interacts with water, notably by functionally coordinating the propulsion of the two arms [44,45]. To circumvent the indirect measurement of propulsion by using kinematics, several devices have been developed.…”

“…This example illustrates how swimmers must attune and calibrate to new information that emerges from changes in an aquatic performance environment in order to utilise affordances that specify action [19]. There are many different types of constraints that might be manipulated to assess impacts on motor behaviours that swimmers adopt during performance, as highlighted by Seifert et al [45,93].…”

Ecological Dynamics: A Theoretical Framework for Understanding Sport Performance, Physical Education and Physical Activity

“…Personal constraints are structural or functional and refer to characteristics of an individual such as genes, anthropometric properties, cognition, motivation, and emotions. In swimming, personal constraints may include passive drag and flotation parameters (hydrostatic lift, sinking force acting at the ankle) that could be artificially modified by wearing a wet suit and influence movement and coordination organisation [33]. Other body characteristics like strength, endurance and laterality (handedness and the preferred breathing side) can also influence movement and coordination organisation [33].…”

“…In swimming, personal constraints may include passive drag and flotation parameters (hydrostatic lift, sinking force acting at the ankle) that could be artificially modified by wearing a wet suit and influence movement and coordination organisation [33]. Other body characteristics like strength, endurance and laterality (handedness and the preferred breathing side) can also influence movement and coordination organisation [33]. Environmental constraints are external to an individual and can be physical, reflecting the environmental conditions of the task.…”

A Mixed-Methods Analysis of the Effects of a Fundamental Motor Skills Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…The single intervention study was published recently (Vernadakis et al, 2015) and suggests a possible increase in interest in motor development and the potential effects of DST. Despite the lack of research that formally includes Newell's DST model (1986), many articles provide suggestions about how constraints can be used to modify performance (Coker, 2014) in a variety of populations, including patients recovering from strokes (Sabari, Kane, Flanagan, & Steinberg, 2001) and children with autism (Pope, Liu, Breslin, & Getchell, 2012), and on skills ranging from swimming (Seifert et al, 2014) to language development (Spoelman & Verspoor, 2010). …”