A SYSTEM TO IMPROVE THE SWIMMING START TECHNIQUE USING FORCE RECORDING, TIMING AND KINEMATIC ANALYSES

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to develop a system to improve the swimmer’s starting technique integrating force and video data. A group of elite swimmers (n=17) took part in the study. Cinematic and kinetic variables of the start technique during the block, flight, and swimming phases until the end of the first 10 m were analysed. The horizontal velocity during the take-off (3,96 m/s) and peak horizontal force applied (917,2 N) did not correlate with the 5 m time (1,79 s). Only the value of the velocity vector before the moment of the hand entry (4,63 m/s) correlated with the 5 m time (r=-0.56). The transformation of the velocity components of the swimmer’s centre of mass during the flight to a high horizontal gliding speed seems the more complex problem for the swimmer to resolve and where our future research will be directed.