Journal article
Froude Efficiency and Velocity Fluctuation in Forearm-Amputee Front Crawl: Implications for Para Swimming Classification
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Vol.55(7), pp.1296-1306
2023
PMCID: PMC10241422
PMID: 36893305
Abstract
Purpose:
The impact of physical impairment on Froude efficiency and intra-cyclic velocity fluctuation in Para swimmers is not well documented. Identification of differences in these variables between disabled and non-disabled swimmers could help develop a more objective system for assigning Para swimmers to classes for competition. This study quantifies Froude efficiency and intra-cyclic velocity fluctuation in unilateral forearm-amputee front crawl swimmers, and evaluates associations between these variables and performance.
Methods:
Ten unilateral forearm-amputee swimmers completed front crawl trials at 50 m and 400 m pace; three-dimensional video analysis provided mass centre, wrist and stump velocities. Intra-cyclic velocity fluctuation was calculated as: 1) maximum - minimum mass centre velocity, expressed as % of mean velocity, and 2) coefficient of variation in mass centre velocity. Froude efficiency was the ratio between mean swimming velocity and wrist plus stump velocity during each segment’s respective: 1) underwater phase, and 2) propulsive underwater phase.
Results:
Forearm-amputees’ intra-cyclic velocity fluctuation (400 m: 22 ± 7%; 50 m: 18 ± 5%) was similar to published values for non-disabled swimmers, whilst Froude efficiencies were lower. Froude efficiency was higher at 400 m (0.37 ± 0.04) than 50 m pace (0.35 ± 0.05; p < .05) and higher for the unaffected limb (400 m: 0.52 ± 0.03; 50 m: 0.54 ± 0.04) than the residual limb (400 m: 0.38 ± 0.03; 50 m 0.38 ± 0.02; p < .05). Neither intra-cyclic velocity fluctuation nor Froude efficiency were associated with swimming performance.
Conclusions:
Froude efficiency may be a valuable measure of activity limitation in swimmers with an upper limb deficiency and a useful metric for comparing swimmers with different types and severity of physical impairment.
Details
- Title
- Froude Efficiency and Velocity Fluctuation in Forearm-Amputee Front Crawl: Implications for Para Swimming Classification
- Authors
- Dawn N O'Dowd (Author) - Manchester Metropolitan UniversityLuke Hogarth (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - LegacyBrendan Burkett (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - High Performance SportConor Osborough (Author) - Manchester Metropolitan UniversityDaniel Daly (Author) - KU LeuvenRoss Sanders (Author) - The University of SydneyCarl Payton (Author) - Manchester Metropolitan University
- Publication details
- Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Vol.55(7), pp.1296-1306
- Publisher
- Lippincott Wiliams & Wilkins
- Date published
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003155
- ISSN
- 1530-0315
- PMID
- 36893305; PMC10241422
- Copyright note
- This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CCBY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - High Performance Sport; Thompson Institute; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99711898502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Sport Sciences