Arm-Leg Coordination in Flat Breaststroke: A Comparative Study Between Elite and Non-Elite Swimmers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the arm-leg coordination in flat breaststroke among four groups of swimmers (elite males, elite females and non-elite males, non-elite females) of two different competitive levels. Using a velocity-video system, both forward acceleration and deceleration phases of the hip were first identified. Based on these phases, four temporal gaps indicated the time duration between arm and leg actions throughout three race paces (200, 100, and 50 m). For both groups, a velocity increase was combined with an increase of stroke rate, a decrease of stroke length, and an increase of the propulsive phases and a decrease of the glide phases. However, when the relative duration of one stroke cycle was considered, the elite swimmers had significant shorter time of the glide phase than lower competitive level swimmers (18.80 % vs. 31.04 % for females and 11.89 % vs. 19.60 % for males) combined with a longer stroke length (respectively 2.05 m vs. 1.73 m and 2.03 m vs. 1.82 m). Furthermore, the temporal gaps of the elite swimmers showed a greater continuity in the arm and leg actions, which indicates a better timing than non-elite swimmers. It was concluded that elite breaststroke swimmers are able to optimise their propulsion by reducing their glide phase and using a more continuous timing between arm and leg coordination.

Key words

Coordination - biomechanics - flat breaststroke

References

• 1 Bober T, Czabanski B. Changes in breaststroke techniques under different speed conditions. Clarys JP, Lewillie L Swimming Science II. Baltimore; University Park Press 1975: 188-193
• 2 Cappaert J M, Pease D L, Troup J P. Biomechanical highlights of world champion and Olympic swimmers. Troup JP, Hollander AP, Strass D, Trappe SW, Cappaert JM, Trappe TA Swimming Science VII. London; E & FN SPON 1996: 76-80
• 3 Chollet D, Boulesteix L. Evolution of the butterfly coordination in relation to velocity and skill level of swimmers. Blackwell JR, Sanders RH XIX International Symposium on Biomechanics in Sports. San Francisco; ISBS 2001: 22-26
• 4 Chollet D, Pelayo P, Tourny C, Sidney M. Comparative analysis of 100 m and 200 m events in the four strokes in top level swimmers.  J Hum Mov Studies. 1996;  31 25-37
• 5 Chollet D, Seifert L, Leblanc H, Boulesteix L, Carter M. Evaluation of the arm-leg coordination in flat breaststroke.  Int J Sports Med. 2004;  25 1-10
• 6 Chollet D, Tourny-Chollet C, Gleizes F. Evolution of coordination in flat breaststroke in relation to velocity. Keskinen KL, Komi PV, Hollander AP Swimming Science VIII. Jyvaskyla, Finland; University of Jyvaskyla 1999: 29-32
• 7 Colman V, Persyn U JJ. A comparison of the intra-cyclic velocity variation in breaststroke swimmers with flat and undulating styles.  J Sports Sci. 1998;  16 653-665
• 8 Costill D L, Lee G, D'Acquisto L J. Video-Computer assisted analysis of swimming technique.  J Swim Res. 1987;  3 5-9
• 9 Costill A B, Maglischo B W, Richardson A B. Swimming. Oxford; Blackwell Scientific Publications 1992
• 10 Craig A B, Boomer W L, Skehan P L. Patterns of velocity in competitive breaststroke swimming. Ungerechts BE, Wilke K, Reischle K Swimming Science V. Champaign, Illinois; Human Kinetics Publishers 1988: 73-77
• 11 Craig A B, Skehan P L, Pawelczyk J A, Boomer W L. Velocity, stroke rate, and distance per stroke during elite swimming competition.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1985;  17 625-634
• 12 Czabanski R. Asymetry of the lower limbs in breaststroke swimming. Clarys JP, Lewillie L Swimming Science II. Baltimore; University Park Press 1975: 207-213
• 13 D'Acquisto L J, Costill D L, Gehlsen G M, Young W T, Lee G. Breaststroke economy, skill, and performance: study of breaststroke mechanics using a computer based “velocity-video” system.  J Swim Res. 1988;  4 9-13
• 14 Daly D, Persyn U, Van Tilborgh L, Riemaker D. Estimation of sprint performances in the breaststroke from body characteristics. Ungerechts BE, Wilke K, Reischle K Swimming Science V. Champaign, Illinois; Human Kinetics Publishers 1988: 101-107
• 15 Kent M, Atha J. Intracycle kinematics and body configuration changes in the breaststroke. Clarys JP, Lewillie L Swimming Science II. Baltimore; University Park Press 1975: 125-129
• 16 Kornecki S, Bober T. Extreme velocities of a swimming cycle as a technique criterion. Eriksson B, Furberg B Swimming Medicine IV. Baltimore; University Park Press 1978: 402-407
• 17 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
• 18 Mac Elroy K, Blanksby B. Intra-cycle velocity fluctuations of highly skilled breaststroke swimmers.  Austr J Health Phys Ed Recr. 1976;  71 25-34
• 19 Magel J R. Propelling force measured during tethered swimming in four competitive styles.  Res Quart. 1970;  41 68-74
• 20 Maglischo E W. Swimming Fastest. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics Publishing 2003
• 21 Manley P K, Atha J. Intra-stroke velocity fluctuations in paced breaststroke swimming. MacLaren D, Reilly T, Less A Swimming Science VI. London; E & FN SPON 1992: 151-159
• 22 Nemessuri M, Vaday M. Breaststroke motor pattern. Lewillie L, Clarys JP Swimming Science I. Brussels; Université libre de Bruxelles 1971: 161-166
• 23 Pai Y C, Hay J G, Wilson B D. Stroking techniques of elite swimmers.  J Sports Sci. 1984;  2 225-239
• 24 Pendergast D R, Di Prampero P E, Craig B, Rennie D W. The influence of selected biomechanical factors on the energy cost of swimming. Eriksson B, Furberg B Swimming Medicine IV. Baltimore; University Park Press 1978: 367-378
• 25 Persyn U JJ, Colman V, Van Tilborgh L. Movement analysis of the flat and undulating breaststroke pattern. MacLaren D, Teilly T, Less A Swimming Science VI. London; E & FN SPON 1992: 75-80
• 26 Persyn U JJ, Hoeven R GC, Daly D J. An evaluation procedure for competitive swimmers. Terauds J, Bedingfield EW Swimming Science III. Baltimore; University Park Press 1979: 182-195
• 27 Persyn U JJ, Van Tilborgh L, Daly D J, Colman V, Vijfvinkel D J, Verhetsel D. Computerized evaluation and advice in swimming. Ungerechts BE, Wilke K, Reischle K Swimming Science V. Champaign, Illinois; Human Kinetics Publishers 1988: 341-349
• 28 Sanders R H. Breaststroke technique variations among New Zealand Pan Pacific squad swimmers. Troup JP, Hollander AP, Strass D, Trappe SW, Cappaert JM, Trappe TA Swimming Science VII. London; E & FN SPON 1996: 64-69
• 29 Schleihauf R E, Higgins J, Hinrich R, Luedke D, Maglischo C, Maglischo E, Thayer A. Propulsive techniques: front crawl stroke, butterfly, backstroke and breaststroke. Ungerechts BE, Wilke K, Reischle K Swimming Science V. Champaign: Illinois; Human Kinetics Publishers 1988: 53-60
• 30 Seifert L, Chollet D. A new index of flat breaststroke propulsion: comparison between elite males and elite women.  J Sports Sci. (in press); 
• 31 Soares P M, Sousa F, Vilas-Boas J P. Differences in breaststroke synchronisation induced by different race velocities. Keskinen KL, Komi PV, Hollander AP Swimming Science VIII. Jyvaskyla, Finland; University of Jyvaskyla 1999: 53-57
• 32 Soons B, Silva A, Colman V, Persyn U. Specific movement variables important for performance in different breaststroke styles. Chatard JC Swimming Science IX. Saint Etienne, France; University of Saint Etienne 2003: 295-300
• 33 Tagaki H, Sugimoto S, Miyashita M, Nomura T, Wakayoshi K, Okuno K, Ogita F, Ikuta Y, Wilson B. Arm to leg coordination during breaststroke: analysis of 9th Fina World Swimming Championships, Fukuoka 2001. Chatard JC Swimming Science IX. Saint Etienne, France; University of Saint Etienne 2003: 301-306
• 34 Thompson K G, Halijand R, Mc Laren D P. An analysis of selected kinematic variables in national and elite male and female 100 m and 200 m breaststroke swimmers.  J Sports Sci. 2000;  18 421-431
• 35 Tourny C, Chollet D, Micallef J P, Macabies J. Comparative analysis of studies of speed variations within a breaststroke cycle. MacLaren D, Reilly T, Less A Swimming Science VI. London; E & FN SPON 1992: 161-166
• 36 Ungerechts B E. The relation of peak body acceleration to phases of movements in swimming. Ungerechts BE, Wilke K, Reischle K Swimming Science V. Champaign, Illinois; Human Kinetics Publishers 1988: 61-66
• 37 Van Tilborgh L M, Stijnen U V, Persyn U J. Using velocity fluctuations for estimating resistance and propulsion forces in breaststroke swimming. Johnson B Biomechanics XB. Champaign, Illinois; Human Kinetics Publishers 1987: 779-784
• 38 Vilas-Boas J P. Speed fluctuations and energy cost of different breaststroke techniques. Troup JP, Hollander AP, Strass D, Trappe SW, Cappaert JM, Trappe TA Swimming Science VII. London; E & FN SPON 1996: 167-171
• 39 Wakayoshi K, Nomura T, Takahashi G, Mutoh Y, Miyashita M. Analysis of swimming races in the 1989 Pan Pacific swimming competitions and 1988 Japanese Olympic Trials. MacLaren D, Teilly T, Less A Swimming Science VI. London; E & FN SPON 1992: 135-141
• 40 Weiss M, Reischle K, Bouws N, Simon G, Weicker H. Relationship of blood lactate accumulation to stroke rate and distance per stroke in top female swimmers. Ungerechts BE, Wilke K, Reischle K Swimming Science V. Champaign, Illinois; Human Kinetics Publishers 1988: 295-303