Biomechanical analyses of synchronised swimming standard and contra-standard sculling |
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| Authors: | Lara Elena Gomes Vera Diogo Flávio Antônio de Souza Castro João Paulo Vilas-Boas Ricardo J Fernandes Pedro Figueiredo |
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| Institution: | 1. Physical Education Collegiate, Federal University of Vale do S?o Francisco, Petrolina, Brazillara.gomes@univasf.edu.br;3. Faculty of Sport, Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal;4. Aquatic Sports Research Group, School of Physical Education, Physioterapy and Dance, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil;5. Portugal Football School, Portuguese Football Federation, Cruz Quebrada - Dafundo, Portugal |
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| Abstract: | Synchronised swimming involves a variety of sculling movements essential for body support and propulsion but its study is scarce. We aimed to biomechanically compare standard and contra-standard sculling techniques, and to observe the relationship between measures. Six synchronised swimmers performed two, 30 s maximal intensity, fully tethered standard and contra-standard sculling motions. Kinetic and kinematic data were obtained using a load-cell and underwater cameras, respectively. Force decreased along both techniques’ bouts, but no differences in-between techniques were noted for any kinetic variables. Standard sculling presented a higher cycle rate and a lower elbow mean angle than the contra-standard sculling (2.4 ± 0.3 vs. 2.0 ± 0.2 cycles/s and 134.1 ± 5.8 and 141.5 ± 4.7°, p < 0.05). In the standard sculling, by removing and maintaining the variation between participants (r w and r, respectively), the absolute mean force was directly related with cycle rate (r w = 0.60) and wrist angular velocity during flexion (r = 0.82), while in the contra-standard condition the force was inversely associated with wrist mean angle (r = ?0.95) and directly with hand speed (r w = 0.76), and elbow angular velocity (r w ≈ 0.60). Therefore, technique learning and training require different attention by coaches and swimmers. |
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| Keywords: | Performance hand forearm tethered swimming force |
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