Correlations between Crawl Kinematics and Speed with Morphologic, Functional, and Anaerobic Parameters in Competitive Swimmers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between a unique complex of predictors and 100 m front crawl race kinematics and swimming speed. In 28 male competitive swimmers (age: 19.6 ± 2.59 years), the following groups of predictors were assessed: (a) the morphologic, (b) the functional upper limb range of motion, and (c) the anaerobic indices of arm-cranking and a series of countermovement jumps. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was calculated to distinguish the predictors and the swimming results. The main finding was that the indices of the power (arm-cranking) and the work (countermovement jump) generated in the anaerobic tests showed a significant and higher correlation with stroke length and stroke index than total body length, upper limb range of motion, or hand and forearm surface area. These results were obtained in accordance with the high swimming economy index relation to clear surface swimming speed. This study reveals that the strength generated by the limbs may represent a predictor of swimming kinematics in a 100 m front crawl performance.

Keywords: arm-cranking; countermovement jump; hand surface area; range of motion.

Figure 1

A photograph showing the examined segments of the upper limb with the applied colour and a square with a known surface area. Lines of separation: from the top of the elbow (A) to the innermost incision on the opposite side (B) and from the styloid process of the ulna (C) to the styloid process of the radius (D).

Figure 2

Tracks of markers placed on the subject’s body and linear ranges of motion (ROM) in a single cycle of movement imitating crawl swimming (side view).

Figure 3

Swimming speed in the 100 m front crawl race (V_total100) and the separated speed of swimming on the surface (V_surface).