PROPELLING EFFICIENCY IS IMPORTANT FOR LONGER CRAWL STROKE EVENTS

Huang, Z., Kurobe, K., Nishiwaki, M., Ozawa, G., Tanaka, T., Taguchi, N., & Ogita, F. (2010). Relationship between propelling efficiency and swimming performance in elite swimmers. A paper presented at the XIth International Symposium for Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming, Oslo, June 16–19, 2010.

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This study examined the relationship between propelling efficiency and swimming performance in elite Japanese swimmers (N = 9). Active drag was measured directly. Simultaneous measurement of oxygen uptake (VO2) enabled the establishment of the relationship between the rate of the energy expenditure (PVO2) and propulsion. Maximum-effort swimming performances were over 50, 100, 200, and 400 m.

Mechanical efficiency was ~10% and propelling efficiency ~71%. Individual propelling efficiency values were significantly related to individual swimming performances for 200 and 400 m but not 50 and 100 m.

Implication. The propelling efficiency of ~71% is comparably higher than reported previously. Propelling efficiency is more important for determining swimming performance for middle and long-distance events rather than short-distance events.

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