Leg Dominance and OSB12 Kick Start Performance in Young Competitive Swimmers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in starting and kick-plate positions, pointing to an effect on kick-start performance with the dominant and non-dominant feet placed on the front edge of the OSB12 starting block. The sample included 20 female competitive swimmers whose average age was 16.1 ± 0.6 years. To assess swimmers’ lower body explosive strength and determine leg dominance, a triple hop distance test was administered. We determined the swimmers’ preferred starting position on a starting block in terms of the kick-plate setting and body position on the starting block. The results of our study demonstrate the importance of leg dominance and positioning on the OSB12 starting block. After the preferred starting position was determined, the optimal position for the kick start was selected. When the dominant leg was placed on the front edge of the starting block (p < 0.05; Cohen’s d—large effect), swimmers produced shorter block times and times to 2 and 5 m. For most of the tested swimmers, the optimal basic position on the starting block included neutral- and rear-weighted positions with the kick plate set to positions 3–4 and the right leg placed on the front edge of the OSB12 starting block.

Foot Placement in the Basic Position on the Start Block OSB12 of Young Competitive Swimmers

“…The better performance achieved in the preferred base position may also be due to a psychological effect or the result of prolonged motor learning in the kick starts. On the other hand, a preferred backrest setup on an OSB or OSB platform may lead to a shorter take-off performance, but the basic position on the start block before the take-off is still crucial [ 5 , 8 , 9 ]. Therefore, we can distinguish three basic positions in the base position on the start block-front-, neutral-, and rear-weighted [ 1 , 15 , 25 , 26 ], with neutral-weighted and weighted being confirmed in some studies [ 1 , 5 , 9 ].…”

“…The research was carried out at the 25 m indoor pool of the University of Presov, which has 6 lanes (water depth 1.56–1.86 m), which is not equipped with new OSB starting blocks, so we used the OSB12 starting platform in the measurement. In accordance with the methodology [ 8 , 9 , 16 ], points were marked on the swimmers’ bodies with a black waterproof marker. The application of the 11 dots was performed under the supervision of a doctor from the Faculty of Sport of PU as follows: lateral margin of the left transverse tarsal joint; lateral left and right malleolus; lateral left and right knee condyle; left and right greater trochanter; lateral margin of the left and right scapular spine; lateral left and right elbow epicondyle; ulnar styloid process of the left and right wrist, and medial side of the 5th metacarpal–phalanx joint.…”

“…Three positions were monitored—front, neutral, and back. In most studies, shorter times were measured at 5 m, 7.5 m, and 15 m, respectively, at neutral-weighted or rear-weighted positions [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. In the study by Burkhardt et al [ 11 ], the positioning of the lower limbs in the base position on the starting block did not show differences in the base position used between the stronger lower limb on the front edge or on the backrest.…”

“…Nevertheless, they did find some differences in the strength (higher horizontal force and impulse) of the lower limbs when jumping from the backrest, so they recommended placing the stronger lower limb on it. In the study by Matúš et al [ 9 ], they did not focus on the strength of the lower limbs but on their dominance and position in the base position on the start block. The study showed that swimmers achieved a shorter 5 m distance time if the dominant lower limb was located at the front edge of the starting block OSB12.…”

Dryland Performance Tests Are Not Good Predictors of World Aquatics Points in Elite Male and Female Swimmers

“…Currently, there is no single definitive test to quantify power and strength, therefore a range of tests are widely adopted by practitioners working within high-performance sport. The most commonly adopted tests to measure lower body power in swimming and other sports include squat jumps and countermovement jumps [ 6 , 7 , 8 ] using force plates [ 9 ], contact grids [ 10 ], tape measures [ 11 ], and obstacle reaches [ 12 ]. Similarly, repetition maximum (RM) tests are the most popular to assess lower and upper body strength [ 13 ].…”