Petryaev, A.V. (2010). Efficiency analysis of swimmers’ starts using starting block with adjustable raised foot in competitions. A paper presented at the XIth International Symposium for Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming, Oslo, June 16–19, 2010.

This study determined the influence of the starting block with adjustable raised rear foot on starting efficiency. International swimmers (N = 16) specializing in crawl stroke and butterfly stroke were analyzed from records on a World Cup in Moscow and the European Championships in Istanbul (2009). On the first start in Moscow the usual starting blocks without adjustable rear foot were used. On the second start in Istanbul, Ss used the starting block with adjustable raised foot. Ss were in the same swim suits on both occasions. Starting performance was deemed to be when the Ss, heads passed 15-m after the start section.

Start time (15 m) was correlated with race performance time: 50 m for men and women (r = -.65); 100 m for men r = -.60 and for women r = -.65; 200 m for men r = -.50 and for women r = -.55; and 400 m for men r = -.25 and for women r = -.30. Start times lengthened as the race distance lengthened.

Implication. As race distances increase, the influence of the starting performance to 15 m decreases. Also starting performance to 15 m lengthens as race-distances lengthen. [Since starting performance activities are mostly unique to the start, one would expect some, but very little variation between start times as races lengthen.]

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