Swimming

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the variations of stroking parameters (speed, stroke length, stroke rate, and stroke index) associated with the 200 m front crawl competitive performance improvement. Two races completed by 17 top swimmers were analysed in the 200 m freestyle final of French or European championships, each final being separated by two years. All the swimmers' performances were bettered in the second race (mean +/- SD: 113.44 +/- 2.50 vs 111.78 +/- 2.71 s; p < 0.01) and were associated with a significant increase of stroke rate without variation of average stroke length and stroke index values (p > 0.05). Swimmers emphasized the first part of the race, with higher speed in the first three lengths, higher stroke rate in the first two lengths and lower stroke length in the first one. Stroke length and stroke rate variations were highly correlated (r = 0.98; p < 0.05). In 11 of the 17 swimmers, the improvement was concomitant with a decrease in stroke length and an increase in stroke rate. Only one swimmer's improvement was associated with a substantial increase in stroke length. These results highlighted that stroke length and stroke index cannot be considered as the only parameters linked to improvement in a 200 m crawl in adult swimmers competing at high standard. Moreover, an increase in stroke rate associated with a slight decrease in stroke length should not be considered as ineffective, especially at top standard.

Assessment of the inter-lap stability and relationship between the race time and start, clean swim, turn and finish variables in elite male junior swimmers’ 200 m freestyle

“…Most 200 m elite freestylers, across a range of competitive levels, select an even pacing (i.e., perform a fast start, and afterwards a relatively even pace) (Huot-Marchand et al, 2005). However, there are other elite swimmers that choose a positive pacing (i.e., a significant increase in time, and a consequent decrease in speed, from split to split) (Simbaña-Escobar et al, 2018;Veiga & Roig, 2016).…”

Functional Role of Movement and Performance Variability: Adaptation of Front Crawl Swimmers to Competitive Swimming Constraints

“…The swimmers exhibited race management in three phases: a rapid first lap, then two middle laps are swum slightly slower, and a final lap at the same speed or slightly slower than middle laps (as observed in previous studies). 4,34,35 As previously observed, the mean stroke length per lap decreased, 3,34,36 can be attributed to powerful alactic anaerobic processes, 38,39 and the speed following the dive start and glide can reach up to 2.5 m.s - 1 40,12,41 which is about 20% higher than the mean race speed. To maintain this speed over the first 50-m, swimmers must achieve an optimal SR/SL ratio.…”

Modelling the 200 m Front-Crawl Performance Predictors at the Winter Season Peak

“…However, the SI was the single parameter showing values near statistical significance (r s = -0.67; p = 0.07). Previous papers have reported a high association between SI and energy expenditure [24] and performance [30] in sub-elite and elite swimmers. High SF values are reached based on muscle power and strength.…”