Kovi, D. L., Martens, D. W., & Morin, G. E. (2000). The swimming relay start: A kinematic comparison of two techniques. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5), Supplement abstract 1051.

Age-group swimmers of both genders performed circular arm-swing and single-step relay starts to a distance of six meters. Several factors were measured. Angle of entry was divided into high, medium, and low classifications.

Gender differences were evident for flight velocity, glide velocity, response time to six meters, angle of entry, and velocity of center of mass. Boys were faster among specific variables and maintained a lower angle at entry. Swimmers who entered with a lower angle had faster flight velocity, time to 6 meters, and velocity of center of mass than did the high angle-of-entry group. There was no significant difference between the circular arm swing and single-step relay starts.

Implication. Circular arm-swing and single-step relay starts produce similar kinematic and performance characteristics. Flatter (lower entry angle) starts produced better performances than steeper (higher angle of entry) starts.

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