Psycharakis, S. G., Naemi, R., Connaboy, C., McCabe, C., & Sanders, R. H. (2010). Three-dimensional analysis of intracycle velocity fluctuations in frontcrawl swimming. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 20, 128-135.

This study determined the magnitude and changes of intra-cycle velocity fluctuation, maximum and minimum velocity values of the center of mass during a maximum 200 m front crawl swim, and examined whether they were associated with performance. Performance was indicated by the mean velocity of the stroke cycle in the swimming direction. Male swimmers (N = 11) of national/international level participated. Performance was recorded with four below- and two above-water-synchronized cameras. One stroke cycle per 50 m for the 200 m swim was analyzed.

Average velocity decreased throughout the test. Maximum and minimum velocities were positively correlated with performance and were significantly higher in the first 50 m stroke cycle than in the others. However, the relative maximum and minimum velocity values were remarkably consistent during the 200 m and not associated with performance.

Implication. Despite noteworthy velocity fluctuations in all directions in a 200 m swim, the fluctuations are not correlated with performance. That indicates that the total swimming stroke and its components slows as a swimming performance progresses.

Return to Table of Contents for Biomechanics of Swimming.