Breathing and Propelling in Crawl as a Function of Skill and Swim Velocity

Abstract

This study analyzes apnea (A), exhalation (E), and inhalation (I) duration with respect to stroke organization in front crawl as a function of inhalation side, swim velocity and performance level. Thirty-six male subjects comprised two groups based on performance level: more expert (ME) and less expert (LE) swimmers. All swam with one inhalation per cycle to the preferred side at speeds corresponding to two specific race paces: 100-m (V100) and 800-m (V800) velocities. The breathing arm (BA) is located on the inhalation side, and the non-breathing arm (NBA) on the opposite side. The sound of air passing in and out of the swimmers' mouths was captured by a microphone and synchronized with video frames. Stroke phases and arm coordination were identified by video analyses. Arm coordination was quantified using two indices of coordination (IdC) corresponding to the lag time between the beginning of the BA (IdC-BA) or NBA (IdC-NBA) propulsive action and the end of that of the other arm. As velocity increases, the ME are observed to reduce I during BA recovery (-19.4 ± 31.6 %, p < 0.05) while the LE increase A (+ 34.8 ± 25.2 %, p < 0.05) during BA entry, catch and recovery and NBA pull and push. These variations are related to a lengthening of the pull for both arms at the expense of BA non-propulsive phases. At V100, the ME have greater E (p < 0.05) during BA entry and catch (+ 21.1 ± 38.2 %) and NBA push (+ 26.3 ± 39.5 %) compared to the LE. This increase, at the expense of A, corresponds to a shorter BA push and NBA recovery. At V800, the ME exhibit a longer A (p < 0.05) during BA recovery (+ 19.9 ± 33.2 %) and NBA pull (+ 24.2 ± 31.5 %), and decreased I during NBA push and pull. These differences are related to a shortening of BA recovery and pull and a longer push for both arms. These breath and stroke adaptations correspond to an increase in stroke rate and IdC-BA with the velocity and performance level. This study points out the breathing-propelling aspects of coordination that indicate technical skill in swimming.

Breathing - motor organization - performance - crawl - swimming

References

• 1 Bernasconi P, Burki P, Buhrer A, Koller E A, Kohl J. Running training and coordination between breathing and running rhythms during aerobic and anaerobic conditions in humans.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1995;  70 387-393
• 2 Broucek M. Breathing. Grabbing large breaths and exhaling slowly are keys to winning races.  Swimming Technique. 1993;  29 28-30
• 3 Cardelli C, Chollet D, Lerda R. Analysis of the 100-m front crawl as a function of skill level in non-expert swimmers.  J Hum Movement Stud. 1999;  36 51-74
• 4 Cardelli C, Lerda R, Chollet D. Analysis of breathing in the crawl as a function of skill and stroke characteristics.  Percept Mot Skills. 2000;  90 979-987
• 5 Chatard J C, Collomb C, Maglischo E, Maglischo C. Swimming skill and stroking characteristics of front crawl swimmers.  Int J Sports Med. 1990;  11 156-161
• 6 Chollet D, Chalies S, Chatard J C. A new index of coordination for the crawl: Description and usefulness.  Int J Sports Med. 2000;  21 54-59
• 7 Clarys J. Human morphology and hydrodynamics. In: Terauds J (ed) Swimming Science III. Baltimore; University Park Press 1979: 3-41
• 8 Costill D L, Kovaleski J, Porter D, Fielding R, King D. Energy expenditure during front crawl swimming: prediction in middle distance events.  Int J Sports Med. 1985;  6 266-270
• 9 Counsilman J E. Hand speed and acceleration.  Swimming Technique. 1981;  18 22-26
• 10 Davis D. Alternate breathing in freestyle.  Swimming technique. 1977;  14 34-35
• 11 Keskinen K L, Komi P V. Intracycle variation in force, velocity and power as a measure of technique performance during front crawl swimming.  In: Abstracts of the XIVth Congress of International Society of Biomechanics. Paris; 1993: 676-677
• 12 Kohl J, Koller E A, Jeager M. Relations between pedalling and breathing rhythm.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1981;  47 223-237
• 13 Kolmogorov S V, Duplisheva A. Active drag, useful mechanical power output and hydrodynamic force coefficient in different genders and performance levels.  J Biomech. 1992;  25 311-318
• 14 Kolmogorov S V, Rumyantseva O A, Gordon B J, Cappaert J M. Hydrodynamic characteristics of competitive swimmers of different genders and performance levels.  J Appl Biomech. 1997;  13 88-97
• 15 Lerda R, Cardelli C, Chollet D. Analysis of the interactions between breathing and arm actions in the front crawl.  J Hum Movement Stud. 2001;  40 129-144
• 16 Maglischo C W, Maglischo E W, Higgins J, Luedtke D, Schleihauf R E, Thayer A. A biomechanical analysis of the U.S. Olympic freestyle distance swimmers. In: Ungerechts BE, Wilke K, Reischle K (eds) Swimming Science V. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics Publishers 1988: 351-359
• 17 Monteil K M, Rouard A H, Dufour A B, Cappaert J M, Troup J P. Front crawl stroke phases: discriminating kinematic and kinetic parameters. In: Troup JP, Hollander AP, Strass D, Trappe SW, Cappaert JM, Trappe TA (eds) Swimming Science VII. London; E.& F.N. Spon 1996: 44-45
• 18 Rouard A H, Billat R P. Influences of sex and level of performance on freestyle stroke: An electromyography and kinematic study.  Int J Sports Med. 1990;  11 150-155
• 19 Town G, Vanness J M. Metabolic responses to controlled frequency breathing in competitive swimmers.  Med Sc Sports Exerc. 1990;  18 402-407