Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2008; 29(5): 429-434
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-965570
Orthopedics & Biomechanics

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Hand Orientation in Hand Paddle Swimming

V. Gourgoulis1 , N. Aggeloussis1 , N. Vezos1 , P. Antoniou1 , G. Mavromatis1
  • 1Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision June 6, 2007

Publication Date:
18 September 2007 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The aim of this research was to study the effect of hand paddles on the pitch, the sweepback angles and other stroke kinematic characteristics of the hand during front crawl swimming. Ten female competitive swimmers swam without and with small (116 cm2) and large (268 cm2) paddles. Four cameras (60 Hz) were used to record the underwater strokes and the digitizing was undertaken using the Ariel Performance Analysis System. When the size of the paddles increased, the stroke length, the mean swimming velocity and the total duration of the stroke were significantly increased (p < 0.05), while the average velocity of the hand during the pull and the push phases were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The stroke rate was decreased significantly (p < 0.05) only when using large paddles. The relative duration of the separate phases of the stroke, the magnitude of the medial-lateral displacements and the pitch and sweepback angles of the hand were not modified, indicating that the use of hand paddles did not caused significant alterations in the orientation and the movement of the hand during the underwater stroke in front crawl swimming.

Key words

biomechanics - kinematics - pitch angle - sweepback angle

References

  • 1 Berger M AM, De Groot G, Hollander A P. Hydrodynamic drag and lift forces on human hand/arm models.  J Biomech. 1995;  28 125-133
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 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
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Gourgoulis V, Aggelousis N, Vezos N, Mavromatis G. Effect of two different sized hand paddles on front crawl stroke kinematics.  J Sport Med Phys Fit. 2006;  46 232-237
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Lauder M A, Dabnichki P, Bartlett R M. Improved accuracy and reliability of sweepback angle, pitch angle and hand velocity calculations in swimming.  J Biomech. 2001;  34 31-39
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Maglischo E W. Swimming Fastest. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics 2003
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 6 Monteil K M, Rouard A H. Free swimming versus paddles swimming in front crawl.  J Hum Mov Stud. 1994;  27 89-99
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Monteil K M, Rouard A H. Influence of the size of the paddles in front crawl stroke. MacLaren D, Reilly T, Lees A Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming. Swimming Science VI. London; E and FN Spon 1992: 99-104
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 8 Payton C J, Bartlett R M. Estimating propulsive forces in swimming from three-dimensional kinematic data.  J Sport Sci. 1995;  13 447-454
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Payton C J, Lauder M A. The influence of hand paddles on the kinematics of front crawl swimming.  J Hum Mov Stud. 1995;  28 175-192
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Rushall B S, Sprigings E J, Holt L E, Cappaert J M. A re-evaluation of forces in swimming.  J Swim Res. 1994;  10 6-30
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Sanders R H. Hydrodynamic characteristics of a swimmer's hand.  J Appl Biomech. 1999;  15 3-26
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Sanders R H. Lift performance in aquatic sports. Riehle HJ, Vieten MM Proceedings XVI International Symposium on Biomechanics in Sports. Konstanz, Germany; UVK-Universitätsverlag Konstanz 1998: 25-39
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 13 Schleihauf R E. Specificity of strength training in swimming: a biomechanical viewpoint. Hollander AP, Huijing PA, De Groot G Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics 1983: 184-191
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 14 Schleihauf R E, Gray L, DeRose J. Three-dimensional analysis of hand propulsion in the sprint front crawl stroke. Hollander AP, Huijing PA, De Groot G Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics 1983: 173-183
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 15 Schleihauf R E. A hydrodynamic analysis of swimming propulsion. Terauds J, Bedingfield EW Swimming III. International Series of Sports Science. Vol. 8. Baltimore, MD; University Park Press 1979: 70-117
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 16 Sidney M, Paillette S, Hespel J M, Chollet D, Pelayo P. Effect of swim paddles on the intra-cyclic velocity variations and on the arm coordination of front crawl stroke. Blackwell JR, Sandres RH Proceeding of Swim Sessions. XIX Symposium International on Biomechanics in Sports. San Francisco; XIX Symposium International on Biomechanics in Sports 2001: 39-42
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 17 Stoner L J, Luedtke D L. Variations in the front crawl and back crawl armstrokes of varsity swimmers using hand paddles. Teraud J, Bedingfield EW Swimming III. Baltimore; University Park Press 1979: 281-288
    Search in Google Scholar
  • 18 Toussaint H M, Beek P J. Biomechanics of competitive front crawl swimming.  Sports Med. 1992;  13 8-24
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Toussaint H M, Janssen T, Kluft M. Effects of propelling surface size on the mechanics and energetics of front crawl swimming.  J Biomech. 1991;  24 205-211
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Toussaint H M, Janssen T, Kluft M. The influence of paddles on propulsion.  Swim Tech. 1989;  26 28-32
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar

Dr. Vassilios Gourgoulis

Democritus University of Thrace
Department of Physical Education and Sports Science

University Campus

69100 Komotini

Greece

Email: vgoyrgoy@phyed.duth.gr