Validity of the use of a fixed point for intracycle velocity calculations in swimming

The intracycle velocity (V) of a fixed point on a swimmer's body, usually the hip, is frequently calculated as a direct indication of the intracycle V of the centre of mass (CM). The purpose of this study was to examine whether the intracycle V of the hip reflects accurately the intracycle V of the CM in freestyle swimming. One stroke cycle was analysed for ten swimmers performing a maximum freestyle swim. The magnitude of differences between CM and hip values was calculated for the instantaneous V values, the intracycle V fluctuation (V(fluc)) and the magnitude and timing of appearance of maximum (V(max)) and minimum intracycle V (V(min)). Large differences were found in all variables, with the use of the hip for V calculations overestimating significantly V(max) and underestimating significantly V(min) and V(fluc) of the CM (p< or =0.001). The results of this study showed that the hip motion should not be used as an indication of the intracycle CM motion in freestyle swimming.