HOW CHAMPIONS DO IT

Researched, produced, and prepared by Brent S. Rushall, Ph.D., R.Psy.

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KIRSTY COVENTRY AT 115 m OF HER WORLD RECORD GOLD MEDAL 200 m BACKSTROKE RACE AT THE 2009 ROME WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (RIGHT ARM)

Each frame is 0.1 seconds apart. Kirsty Coventry's time for this event was 2:04.81.

This stroke analysis includes a moving sequence in real time, a moving sequence where each frame is displayed for .5 of a second, and still frames.

The following image sequence is in real time. It will play through 10 times and then stop. To repeat the sequence, click the browser's "refresh" or "reload" button.

The following image sequence shows each frame for half a second. It will play through 10 times and then stop. To repeat the sequence, click the browser's "refresh" or "reload" button.

At the end of the following narrative, each frame is illustrated in detail in a sequential collage.

Notable Features

The notable features of this swimmer's technique viewed from the right side are similar to those in the left-side analysis. Consequently, they are noted below in abbreviated form.

Kirsty Coventry's backstroke has many admirable features; continuous and direct force application, superb streamlining, body-hip roll that allows both the internal and external shoulder rotator muscles to abduct and adduct the upper arms, and relatively small kicks that mainly function to counterbalance the exiting/recovering arms. This is a model that could serve as an example of how to perform this competitive swimming stroke.

Kirsty Coventry

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