TY - JOUR
T1 - On-block mechanistic determinants of start performance in high performance swimmers
AU - Thng, Shiqi
AU - Pearson, Simon
AU - Mitchell, Lachlan J G
AU - Meulenbroek, Clare
AU - Keogh, Justin W L
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - This study aimed to 1) identify what starting block outcome kinetics have the greatest relationship to 15 m start time; 2) investigate key mechanistic determinants of the block phase and how these forces are sequenced. One hundred and fifty-two high-level competitive swimmers were included in the study. Linear mixed modelling identified four on-block outcome kinetic variables (work, average power, horizontal take-off velocity (HTOV), and average acceleration) as having a very large relationship (R2 = 0.79-0.83) to 15 m start time, with average power having the most substantial impact. On-block force sequencing started with the rear leg, followed by upper limb grab forces and the front leg. Further exploration of underlying determinants was performed for average power and HTOV of the centre of mass. Multiple linear regression identified grab resultant peak force, rear resultant average force, front horizontal peak force, and resultant peak force as significant predictors of average power (R2 = 0.88). HTOV was predicted using the same variables, apart from the inclusion of rear horizontal peak force instead of rear resultant average force (R2 = 0.73). These findings may influence how strength and conditioning and skill acquisition interventions are designed to improve swim start performance.
AB - This study aimed to 1) identify what starting block outcome kinetics have the greatest relationship to 15 m start time; 2) investigate key mechanistic determinants of the block phase and how these forces are sequenced. One hundred and fifty-two high-level competitive swimmers were included in the study. Linear mixed modelling identified four on-block outcome kinetic variables (work, average power, horizontal take-off velocity (HTOV), and average acceleration) as having a very large relationship (R2 = 0.79-0.83) to 15 m start time, with average power having the most substantial impact. On-block force sequencing started with the rear leg, followed by upper limb grab forces and the front leg. Further exploration of underlying determinants was performed for average power and HTOV of the centre of mass. Multiple linear regression identified grab resultant peak force, rear resultant average force, front horizontal peak force, and resultant peak force as significant predictors of average power (R2 = 0.88). HTOV was predicted using the same variables, apart from the inclusion of rear horizontal peak force instead of rear resultant average force (R2 = 0.73). These findings may influence how strength and conditioning and skill acquisition interventions are designed to improve swim start performance.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85122841240&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/14763141.2021.1887342
DO - 10.1080/14763141.2021.1887342
M3 - Article
C2 - 33666145
SN - 1476-3141
VL - 23
SP - 682
EP - 694
JO - Sports Biomechanics
JF - Sports Biomechanics
IS - 5
ER -