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- Title
Differences in kinematics and energy cost between front crawl and backstroke below the anaerobic threshold.
- Authors
Gonjo, Tomohiro; McCabe, Carla; Sousa, Ana; Ribeiro, João; Fernandes, Ricardo J.; Vilas-Boas, João Paulo; Sanders, Ross
- Abstract
<bold>Purpose: </bold>The purpose of this study was to determine kinematic and energetic differences between front crawl and backstroke performed at the same aerobic speeds.<bold>Methods: </bold>Ten male competitive swimmers performed front crawl and backstroke at a pre-determined sub-anaerobic threshold speed to assess energy cost (through oxygen uptake measurement) and kinematics (using three-dimensional videography to determine stroke frequency and length, intra-cycle velocity fluctuation, three-dimensional wrist and ankle speeds, and vertical and lateral ankle range of motion). For detailed kinematic analysis, resultant displacement, the duration, and three-dimensional speed of the wrist during the entry, pull, push, and release phases were also investigated.<bold>Results: </bold>There were no differences in stroke frequency/length and intra-cycle velocity fluctuation between the swimming techniques, however, swimmers had lower energy cost in front crawl than in backstroke (0.77 ± 0.08 vs 0.91 ± 0.12 kJ m-1, p < 0.01). Slower three-dimensional wrist and ankle speeds under the water (1.29 ± 0.10 vs 1.55 ± 0.10 and 0.80 ± 0.16 vs 0.97 ± 0.13 m s-1, both p < 0.01) and smaller ankle vertical range of motion (0.36 ± 0.06 vs 0.47 ± 0.07 m, p < 0.01) in front crawl than in backstroke were also observed, which indirectly suggested higher propulsive efficiency in front crawl.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>Front crawl is less costly than backstroke, and limbs motion in front crawl is more effective than in backstroke.
- Subjects
BACKSTROKE (Swimming); ANAEROBIC threshold; CALORIC expenditure; SWIMMERS; SWIMMING techniques
- Publication
European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2018, Vol 118, Issue 6, p1107
- ISSN
1439-6319
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1007/s00421-018-3841-z