Wright, B. V., & Stager, J. M. (2013). Arm stroke and leg kick movement during front crawl swimming measured via accelerometry. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 45(5), Supplement abstract number 541.

This study considered the relationship between arm stroke and leg kick movement as a function of swim speed. It examined arm stroke and leg kick accelerometer output (i.e., counts) during front crawl swimming using accelerometer-based activity monitors. More specifically, it intended to describe the magnitude of accelerometer output from the arm stroke and leg kick movements as a function of swim speed. Accelerometer data were collected on collegiate competitive swimmers (N = 15) during a progressive series of six 91.4 meter (100-yard) front crawl swims. Each S wore accelerometers attached via a watch strap to their right wrist and right ankle.

Trend analysis revealed significant linear and quadratic patterns in arm stroke (88.5 % and 11.5 % respectively) and leg kick (88.9 % and 11.1 % respectively) accelerometer output as a function of increased swimming speed across swim bouts. Leg kick output significantly increased between swim bouts 3 and 4 while a significant increase in arm stroke output took place between swim bouts 4 and 5.

Implication. Competitive swimmers begin to increase arm stroke and leg kick movements in a linear fashion, followed by a quadratic pattern, but do so in dissimilar patterns as swim speed increases. There is only a partial concordance between arm stroking and leg kicking in a 100-yard swim.

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