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Adaptability in Swimming Pattern: How Propulsive Action Is Modified as a Function of Speed and Skill
Christophe Schnitzler1, Ludovic Seifert2, Chris Button3
1Laboratory Equipe d'accueil en Sciences Sociales (E3S, UR1342), Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
|April 26, 2021
Summary
Swimmers adapt to faster speeds by increasing stroke rate and propulsion time, but only high-skilled swimmers optimize force parameters. Expertise influences swimming adaptability and performance through distinct biomechanical strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Sports Science
- Human Movement Analysis
Background:
- Understanding biomechanical differences between swimmers of varying expertise is crucial for performance enhancement.
- Spatiotemporal, kinetic, and kinematic parameters offer insights into swimming technique and adaptability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze how spatiotemporal, kinetic, and kinematic parameters characterize swimmers' adaptability to different speeds.
- To determine if these parameters can discriminate between low-, medium-, and high-expertise swimmers.
Main Methods:
- Twenty male swimmers across three expertise levels swam at varying maximal speeds in a flume.
- Underwater cameras captured stroking parameters (stroke rate, stroke length, stroke index).
- Hand force sensors computed kinetic parameters, analyzed alongside kinematic data.
Main Results:
- All swimmers increased stroke rate and propulsion time to swim faster, with force impulse remaining constant.
- High-expertise swimmers showed unique spectral force distribution modifications at higher stroke rates.
- Only high-expertise swimmers demonstrated increased stroke length and stroke index.
Conclusions:
- All swimmers adapt their technique to increase speed, but high-skilled swimmers exhibit superior functional adaptation in force parameters.
- Expertise level significantly influences the biomechanical strategies employed for efficient swimming at higher speeds.
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