Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1038676
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
The Assessment of Path Linearity in Swimming: A Pilot Study
Publication History
accepted after revision April 17, 2008
Publication Date:
11 June 2008 (online)
Abstract
The lateral-medial displacement (LF) and the overall drift from a straight path (DT) were quantified and compared in 5 top-level (TLS) and 5 low-level (LLS) crawl swimmers. Sixteen repetitions of 25-m crawl at increasing intensity were performed and videotaped. The performances were divided into 3 intensities (< 80 %, 80 – 90 % and > 90 % of maximal speed). LF was expressed as overlength swum (OLS) and coefficient of variation (CV) of the Z-component movement. OLS revealed a significant main effect for swimmer level (p < 0.01), intensity (p < 0.01) and their interaction (0.48, 0.37, 0.31-m for TLS and 0.47, 0.43, 0.44-m for LLS, p < 0.05). CV was significantly higher in LLS at the lowest (0.69 vs. 0.22, p < 0.05) and highest intensity (0.71 vs. 0.33, p < 0.05). DT, expressed as the slope of the linear regression of position data vs. time, was significantly higher in LLS only at the highest intensity (0.025 vs. 0.013, p < 0.05). The amount of dissipated energy due to LF, quantified by means of discrete Fourier analysis, revealed a difference only when the 0 – 5 Hz and 5 – 10 Hz spectral windows were analysed separately. While LF has a practical significance since it contributes to increase drag, DT is negligible at least for short-distance events.
Key words
lateral fluctuations - drift from linear trajectory - performance assessment - video analysis - coaching
References
- 1 Canny J. A computational approach to edge detection. IEEE Trans, Pattern Anal: Machine Intell. 1986; 8 679-698
- 2 Cappaert J M, Gordon B J, Frisbie K. Frontal surface area measurements in national caliber swimmers. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1997; 29 712
- 3 Cappozzo A. Gait analysis methodology. Hum Mov Sci. 1984; 3 27-54
- 4 Chollet D, Chalies S, Chatard J C. A new index of coordination for the crawl: description and usefulness. Int J Sport Med. 2000; 21 54-59
- 5 Counsilman J E, Counsilman B E (eds). The New Science of Swimming. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey; Prentice-Hall Inc. 1994
-
6 Huijing P A, Toussaint H M, Mackay R, Vervoorn K, Clarys J P, de Groot G, Hollander A P.
Active drag related to body dimensions. Ungerechts BE, Wilke K, Reischle K Swimming Science V. Champaign; Human Kinetics Books 1988: 31-37 - 7 Keskinen K L, Komi P V. Intracycle variation in force, velocity and power as a measure of technique performance during front crawl swimming. J Biomech. 1994; 27 672
- 8 Maglischo E W (ed). Swimming Fastest. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics 2003
- 9 Micciolo R, Zimmermann-Tansella C, Williams P, Tansella M. Seasonal variation in suicide: is there a sex difference?. Psychol Med. 1989; 19 199-203
- 10 Nikodelis T, Kollias I, Hatzitaki V. Bilateral inter-arm coordination in freestyle swimming: effect of skill level and swimming speed. J Sport Sci. 2005; 23 737-745
-
11 Novak J.
Swimming direction and visual control. Hollander AP, Huijing PA, de Groot G Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming. Champaign; Human Kinetics Publishers 1983: 345-349 - 12 Potts A D, Charlton J E, Smith H M. Bilateral arm power imbalance in swim bench exercise to exhaustion. J Sports Sci. 2002; 20 975-979
-
13 Psycharakis S, Coleman S, Cannaboy C, Kelly J, McCabe C, Naemi R, Sanders R. Rolling actions of shoulders and hips in freestyle swimming. Proceedings of XXV ISBS Symposium 2007; Ouro Preto, Brazil, 83 – 86
- 14 Seifert L, Chollet D, Allard P. Arm coordination symmetry and breathing effect in front crawl. Hum Mov Sci. 2005; 24 234-256
- 15 Shaeskin D J. Handbook of Parametric and Non Parametric Statistical Procedures. 2nd edn. Boca Raton, Florida; Chapman & Hall/CRC 2000
- 16 Toussaint H M, Carol A, Kranenborg H, Truijens M. Effect of fatigue on stroking characteristics in an arms-only 100-m front crawl race. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006; 38 1635-1642
- 17 Toussaint H M, Roos P E, Kolmogorov S V. The determination of drag in front crawl swimming. J Biomech. 2004; 37 1655-1663
-
18 Wilson B D, Thorp R.
Active drag in swimming. Chatard JC Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming IX. St. Etienne; Université de St. Etienne 2003: 15-20 - 19 Yanai T. Rotational effect of buoyancy in frontcrawl: does it really cause the legs to sink?. J Biomech. 2001; 34 235-243
- 20 Zamparo P, Capelli C, Termin B, Pendergast D R, di Prampero P E. Effect of the underwater torque on the energy cost, drag and efficiency of front crawl swimming. Eur J Appl Phys Occup Phys. 1996; 73 195-201
Dr. Massimiliano Ditroilo
Istituto di Ricerca sull'Attività Motoria
Laboratorio di Valutazione Funzionale e Biomeccanica
via I Maggetti 26/2
61029 Urbino
Italy
Phone: + 39 07 22 30 34 13
Fax: + 39 07 22 30 34 01
Email: m.ditroilo@uniurb.it