Kinematic and dynamic analyses of the front crawl tumble turn in elite female swimmers

Abstract

Based on a three-dimensional (3D) underwater analysis, the objective of the present study was to identify the biomechanical variables the most associated with turn times in 10 elite female swimmers. For each participant (95.7 ± 2.6% of the 200 m freestyle world record), the best-time turn (from 3 m in to 3 m out, 2.89 ± 0.08 s) was analysed from a three-dimensional (3D) direct linear transformation kinematical reconstruction and the use of a piezoelectric force platform. Bivariate analysis showed that lateral impulse was linked to turn time (r = -0.76, p = 0.01) as well as horizontal velocities at end of the glide and swim resumption (respectively, 1.88 ± 0.2 m·s⁻¹ and 1.48 ± 0.15 m·s⁻¹; r = -0.67 and -0.68; p < 0.05 for both variables). One variable was considered relevant in the best Lasso (Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator) model: the lateral impulse (8.8 ± 5.1 N·s) during the placement sub-phase.The best tumble turn times were associated with higher lateral impulse during the placement and faster velocities during the underwater actions. The lateral impulse may reflect the swimmers’ longitudinal rotation which was higher for the fastest swimmers.

KEYWORDS:

• Biomechanics
• three-dimensional (3D)
• sport
• swimming
• freestyle

Disclosure statement

The corresponding author confirms that all co-authors were fully involved in the study and preparation of the manuscript. Each of the authors has read and concurs with the content. He also declares that there was no external financial support and that this manuscript has not been published elsewhere or is not being considered for publication elsewhere and that the research reported will not be submitted for publication elsewhere until a final decision has been made as to its acceptability by the Journal.

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Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.