Performance analysis of the flip turn in swimming: The relationship between pressures and performance times

• CHRISTOPH CLEPHAS ^[2] ; MICHAEL FOSTER ^[1] ; PRO STERGIOU ^[1] ; LARRY KATZ ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Calgary

     University of Calgary

     Canadá

     
  2. [2] Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel
• Localización: Journal of Human Sport and Exercise: JHSE, ISSN-e 1988-5202, Vol. 17, Nº. 1, 2022, págs. 74-82
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This study examined the effects of pressure and other kinetic variables on freestyle flip turn performance. It was hypothesized that an increase in average and peak pressure, and a decrease in the magnitude difference between left and right foot pressure, would result in an improved performance of a swimmer as they performed a flip turn. Ten University level (varsity) swimmers performed five freestyle flip turns using their competition technique. Data were collected from a pressure pad mounted to the vertical wall of the pool and from an underwater camera in the sagittal plane. A negative correlation of .58 and .67 was seen for average and peak pressures respectively when compared to five-meter performance times. Average contact area throughout the push-off phase compared to average and maximum load was .94 and .88. An increase in average contact area from 40 cm2 to 50 cm2 resulted in a 26% increase in maximum load. No difference in performance was seen for varying maximum knee flexion angles. Differences between pressure magnitudes between left and right foot did not impact the five-meter performance time. Therefore, increased average contact area throughout the push-off phase caused higher average and maximum loads, and to a lesser extent average and peak pressures. Increases in pressure and load resulted in an improved five-meter performance time. It is concluded that flip turn performance increases through higher contact area with the feet when pushing off the wall.