Competitive Swim Start Safety

Abstract

It could be argued that the only component of competitive swimming that is associated with any appreciable risk to the swimmer is the execution of the racing start from a starting block into shallow water. Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collected and considered input as a means to formulate guidelines for minimum water depths for the installation of starting blocks. Because there are only limited data on the depths and the velocities swimmers attain while executing starts, the data that are available need careful consideration. Insight into the central question, "how deep is deep enough?" involves consideration of values for maximum head depths, maximum head velocities, and the ability to control trajectory during racing starts. This review considers the literature pertinent to the key variables that, in general, stratify risk and determine successful, safe start outcomes.

Head Depth and Head Speed During Competitive Backstroke Ledge Starts

“…The injuries that swimmers incur upon impact are related to hyperflexion, vertical compression, and/or hyperextension of the cervical vertebrae and, as is true for all other diving injuries, impact with the pool bottom has resulted in para-or quadriplegia (Albrand & Walter, 1975). This is clearly related to the head velocity that proficient swimmers achieve (4 to 6 m·s -1 ) when executing racing starts from a starting block into a pool (Cornett, White, Wright, & Stager, 2014). As such, according to the National Federation of State High Schools Association (NFHS) and the National (USA) Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) regulations, pools must minimally be 1.2 m deep at the starting end (NCAA Rules and Regulations) for starting blocks to be used.…”