The characteristics of the breaststroke pullout in elite swimming.

Since the rule change permitting the inclusion of one dolphin kick during the underwater breaststroke pullout phase following a swim start or turn, there has been an emergence of several different pullout techniques adopted by elite swimmers. The aim of this study was to characterize the underwater breaststroke pullout technique trends and to assess the effectiveness of each technique as utilized by elite male and female swimmers. The sample included 60 swimmers ( = 26 male, = 34 female) competing across the 50, 100, and 200 m long-course breaststroke final races from the World Championships 2015, 2017, 2019 and Olympic Games 2016.

The Association of Range of Motion, Dryland Strength-Power, Anthropometry, and Velocity in Elite Breaststroke Swimmers.

Purpose: The ability of elite breaststroke swimmers to maximize average velocity maintained throughout a race is reportedly mediated by a number of range-of-motion, dryland strength-power, and anthropometric characteristics. The present study aimed to develop a physical profile and evaluate the relationship between dryland strength-power and stroke kinematic variables in elite breaststroke swimmers.

Methods: A series of range-of-motion, dryland strength-power, and anthropometric measures were assessed in 11 elite-level breaststroke specialists and used to establish group-based averages and expected variance within an elite breaststroke population.

Stroke Kinematics, Temporal Patterns, Neuromuscular Activity, Pacing and Kinetics in Elite Breaststroke Swimming: A Systematic Review.

Background: Breaststroke is a technically complex stroke characterised by discontinuous propulsive phases, large intracyclic velocity variation and low mean velocity. The performance of this stroke at an elite level is influenced by a number of biomechanical, physiological and psychological factors. The present systematic review aimed to synthesise the biomechanical factors influencing elite breaststroke swimming performance.

Coaches' perspective towards skill acquisition in swimming: What practice approaches are typically applied in training?

This study aimed to explore the experiential knowledge and preferred training approaches of elite swimming coaches in regards to general skill development and then looking specifically at the freestyle stroke. A qualitative thematic analysis approach was employed to identify, analyse and report themes within the content of the collected data. Twenty elite swimming coaches participated in semi-structured interviews.

The biomechanics of freestyle and butterfly turn technique in elite swimmers.

The swimming turn significantly contributes to overall race performance. Whilst the importance of the turn is well established within the literature, the biomechanical parameters that are most important to turn performance remain unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the key biomechanical parameters that influence freestyle and butterfly turn time within an elite population.

The validation of a swimming turn wall-contact-time measurement system: a touchpad application reliability study.

The effectiveness of the swimming turn is highly influential to overall performance in competitive swimming. The push-off or wall contact, within the turn phase, is directly involved in determining the speed the swimmer leaves the wall. Therefore, it is paramount to develop reliable methods to measure the wall-contact-time during the turn phase for training and research purposes.

Key parameters of the swimming start and their relationship to start performance.

The swimming start is typically broken into three sub-phases; on-block, flight, and underwater phases. While overall start performance is highly important to elite swimming, the contribution of each phase and important technical components within each phase, particularly with the new kick-start technique, has not been established. The aim of this study was to identify technical factors associated with overall start performance, with a particular focus on the underwater phase.

Comparing three underwater trajectories of the swimming start.

Unlabelled: Once a swimmer enters the water they will not increase velocity, instead they will decelerate. One factor that will influence the velocity maintained during the underwater phase is the trajectory the swimmer adopts.

Objectives: Once a swimmer enters the water they will not increase velocity, instead they will decelerate.

The reliability of an instrumented start block analysis system.

The swimming start is highly influential to overall competition performance. Therefore, it is paramount to develop reliable methods to perform accurate biomechanical analysis of start performance for training and research. The Wetplate Analysis System is a custom-made force plate system developed by the Australian Institute of Sport--Aquatic Testing, Training and Research Unit (AIS ATTRU).

How does drag affect the underwater phase of a swimming start?

During the underwater phase of the swimming start drag forces are constantly acting to slow the swimmer down. The current study aimed to quantify total drag force as well as the specific contribution of wave drag during the underwater phase of the swimming start. Swimmers were towed at three different depths (surface, 0.

Monitoring the effect of race-analysis parameters on performance in elite swimmers.

Unlabelled: Time trials are commonly used in the lead-up to competition. A method that evaluates the relationship between time trial and competition performance in swimming would be useful for developing performance-enhancement strategies.

Purpose: To use linear mixed modeling to identify key parameters that can be used to relate time-trial and competition performance.