An Updated Protocol to Assess Arm Swimming Power in Front Crawl

Abstract

Mechanical power output is a reliable predictor of swim speed in front crawl. However, a complete power curve (power vs. load) has not been described for swimming, and intra-cycle power has not been assessed. The purpose of this study was to examine intra-cycle power output at propulsive phases and to determine maximum swimming power, the corresponding load and swimming speed. 18 swimmers (age 22.10±4.31years, height 1.79±0.07 m, arm span 1.85±0.08 m and body mass 76.74±9.00 kg) performed a swim power test. It consisted of 12.5 m all-out swims with only the arms, with a load attached to the swimmer. A linear encoder and a load cell recorded intra-cycle speed and force in each trial. The test was recorded with 2 underwater cameras. Intra-cycle power was obtained for propulsive stroke phases (pull: 60.32±18.87 W; push: 71.21±21.06 W). Peak power was 114.37±33.16 W. Mean maximum swim power was 66.49 W (0.86 W/kg), which was reached at a swimming velocity of 0.75 m/s with a 47.07% of the individual maximal load. Significant positive correlation (r=0.76, p<0.01) between maximum swim power and maximum swim speed was observed. These results suggest that the proposed test may be a training tool that is relatively simple to implement and would provide swimmers and coaches with quick feedback.

Tethered Swimming Can Be Used to Evaluate Force Contribution for Short-Distance Swimming Performance

“…The influence of force production on swimming performance has long been discussed (33) and suggests that the force exerted in water is a major factor for success (2,10). For that reason, the magnitude of these forces has been the topic of many studies, although the complexity of the aquatic environment makes its assessment challenging (1).…”

The development of swimming power

“…The test consisted in 15 m all-out front-crawl swims across the pool while pulling a different load during each trial, besides the reliability of the test has been shown in previous studies to be very high (Intra-class Correlation Coefficient >0.80) as shown by Dominguez-Castells et al 24 . After a standardized 800 m warm-up, the test started with a load of 45 N. The load increased by 25 N for each trial.…”

“…The protocol ended when the swimmer was not able to complete a trial. Data related to the first and last 2.5 m was discarded to consider only constant speed conditions 24 . The MMEP parameters of interest were acquired by means of a dedicated custom ergometer designed and built by Tecnologicamente S.r.l.…”

Factores Limitantes Del Rendimeinto en Un 50 Libre

“…Dominguez-Castells, Izquierdo, y Arellano (2013), señalan que la potencia generada por el nadador es un predictor fiable de la velocidad de nado al estilo crol. Además, apuntan que la máxima potencia de nado generada guarda una relación lineal con la máxima velocidad de nado, con independencia de la fatiga o del nivel técnico (Seifert, Toussaint, Alberty, Schnitzler y Chollet, 2010 y Toussaint, Carol, Kranenborg y Truijens; citados por Dominguez-Castells, Izquierdo y Arellano, 2013). De hecho, los nadadores de nivel mundial producen mayores picos de potencia que los de menor nivel (Barbosa, Morais, Marques, Costa y Marinho, 2014).…”

“…Un ejemplo en el que se mide la potencia de nado en el agua utilizando esta metodología, lo encontramos en el test que proponen Domínguez-Castells, Izquierdo y Arellano (2013). El objetivo de dicho test será examinar la potencia intra-ciclo en las fases propulsivas y determinar tanto la potencia máxima de nado como la velocidad a la que se alcanza dicha potencia.…”