Oliveira, R., Marinho, D. A., Garrido, N. D., & Costa, A. M. (2011). The relationship between front crawl swimming performance and swimming technique in young swimmers. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 43(5), Supplement abstract 2321.

This study analyzed the relationship between front crawl performance and hydrodynamic variables during leg-kicking in pre-pubescent swimmers (M = 20; F = 16; ~10 years) from the same swimming club. Active drag during leg-kicking was conducted in a 25 m swimming pool with push-off starts. The velocity perturbation method was used to determine active drag when kicking. Ss' performances in 200 m short-course front-crawl kicking were also recorded. Performance in a 200 m short-course front-crawl event was related to active drag data (drag force, drag coefficient, and power output values) and performance in 200 m of leg-kicking.

The 200 m swimming performance was significantly correlated with the performance in 200 m leg-kicking (r = 0.87), hydrodynamic drag force during leg-kicking (r = -0.50), and with power output during leg-kicking (r = -0.58). Drag coefficient values for leg-kicking were not related to performance in 200 m of front crawl swimming.

Implication. In pre-pubescent swimmers, performance in 200 m front crawl is related to leg-kicking properties. Young swimmers who present higher values of hydrodynamic drag force and power output during leg-kicking are likely to exhibit better performances when swimming 200 m front crawl.

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