On-block mechanistic determinants of start performance in high performance swimmers

Shiqi Thng; Simon Pearson; Lachlan J. G Mitchell; Clare Meulenbroek; Justin W. L Keogh

doi:10.1080/14763141.2021.1887342

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On-block mechanistic determinants of start performance in high performance swimmers

Journal article

Peer reviewed

On-block mechanistic determinants of start performance in high performance swimmers

Shiqi Thng, Simon Pearson, Lachlan J. G Mitchell, Clare Meulenbroek and Justin W. L Keogh

Sports Biomechanics, Vol.23(5), pp.682-694

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2021.1887342

PMID: 33666145

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Abstract

block phase

Swimming

force plate

kinetics

swim start

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 (R = 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 (R = 0.88). HTOV was predicted using the same variables, apart from the inclusion of rear horizontal peak force instead of rear resultant average force (R = 0.73). These findings may influence how strength and conditioning and skill acquisition interventions are designed to improve swim start performance.

Details

Title: On-block mechanistic determinants of start performance in high performance swimmers
Authors: Shiqi Thng (Author) - Bond University
Simon Pearson (Author) - Queensland Academy of Sport
Lachlan J. G Mitchell (Author) - University College Dublin
Clare Meulenbroek (Author) - Australian Catholic University
Justin W. L Keogh (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Publication details: Sports Biomechanics, Vol.23(5), pp.682-694
Publisher: Routledge
DOI: 10.1080/14763141.2021.1887342
ISSN: 1752-6116
PMID: 33666145
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99514106802621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Engineering, Biomedical; Sport Sciences