Specific and Holistic Predictors of Sprint Front Crawl Swimming Performance

 Article (PDF) 
Authors
Marek Strzala, Arkadiusz Stanula, Piotr Krezalek, Wojciech Rejdych, Jakub Karpinski, Marcin Maciejczyk, Artur Radecki-Pawlik
Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the impact of selected water- and dry-land predictors of 50-m front crawl performance among 27 male swimmers aged 19.3 ± 2.67 years. The following water tests were performed: front crawl tethered arm stroking in a water flume (flow velocity: 0.9 m·s–1) and leg tethered flutter kicking in a swimming pool. Anaerobic tests on dry land included arm cranking and a set of 10 countermovement jumps. The maximal and average forces generated by legs in tethered swimming (Fl max and Fl ave) turned out to be the strongest predictors of sprint swimming aptitude. These values were strongly correlated with total speed (Vtotal50) (r = 0.49, p < 0.05 and r = 0.54, p < 0.01, respectively), start, turn, and finishing speed (VSTF) (r = 0.60, p < 0.01 and r = 0.67, p < 0.01, respectively). The relationship of Fl max and Fl ave with surface speed (Vsurface) was moderate (r = 0.33, non-significant and r = 0.41, p < 0.05, respectively). The maximal force generated by arms (Fa max) during flume tethered swimming significantly influenced Vsurface and Vtotal50 (0.51, p < 0.01 and 0.47, p < 0.05, respectively). Its relationship with VSTF was close to significant (0.36, p = 0.07). Upper and lower limb dry-land tests showed lower and more holistic relationships with the 50-m front crawl race, however, being a good complement to overall fitness assessment. Specific in-water evaluation, especially the newly prepared flutter kicking test, as well as dry-land tests, can be applied to regularly monitor progress in swimming training, and to identify talented swimmers.
DOI
DOI: 10.2478/hukin-2021-0058
Citation
 APA 
Strzała, M., Stanula, A., Krężałek, P., Rejdych, W., Karpiński, J., Maciejczyk, M., Radecki-Pawlik, A. (2021). Specific and Holistic Predictors of Sprint Front Crawl Swimming Performance. Journal of Human Kinetics, 78, 197-207. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2021-0058
 Harvard 
Strzała, M., Stanula, A., Krężałek, P., Rejdych, W., Karpiński, J., Maciejczyk, M., and Radecki-Pawlik, A. (2021). Specific and Holistic Predictors of Sprint Front Crawl Swimming Performance. Journal of Human Kinetics, 78, pp.197-207. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2021-0058
 MLA 
Strzała, Marek et al. “Specific and Holistic Predictors of Sprint Front Crawl Swimming Performance.” Journal of Human Kinetics, vol. 78, 2021, pp. 197-207. doi:10.2478/hukin-2021-0058.
 Vancouver 
Strzała M, Stanula A, Krężałek P, Rejdych W, Karpiński J, Maciejczyk M et al. Specific and Holistic Predictors of Sprint Front Crawl Swimming Performance. Journal of Human Kinetics. 2021;78:197-207. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2021-0058
Key words
strength, test, power, movement velocity, biomechanics

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