Phases of the Swim-Start in Paralympic Swimmers are Influenced by Severity and Type of Disability

Andrew A Dingley; D Pyne; Brendan J Burkett

doi:10.1123/jab.2013-0321

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Phases of the Swim-Start in Paralympic Swimmers are Influenced by Severity and Type of Disability

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Phases of the Swim-Start in Paralympic Swimmers are Influenced by Severity and Type of Disability

Andrew A Dingley, D Pyne and Brendan J Burkett

Journal of Applied Biomechanics, Vol.30(5), pp.643-648

2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.2013-0321

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Abstract

Biomedical Engineering

Human Movement and Sports Science

Mechanical Engineering

paralympic

swimming

swim-starts

force

velocity

Disabilities in Paralympic swimming could impact a swimmer's ability to execute an effective swim-start. We examined how swim-start performance differed between severity and type of physical disability. Swim-starts were measured in 55 elite Paralympic swimmers from nine different Paralympic classes; S14, S13, S10-S6, S3 grouped as no- (classes S13&S14), low- (S9&S10), mid- (S6-S8) or high- (less than S6) severity of physical disability and also by type of physical disability (upper, lower and palsy) to provide meaningful comparisons. The swimmer's competitive level was determined by the international point score (IPS). Swimmers with no-physical disability were significantly faster in most swim-start phases compared with physical disabilities, as were swimmers with low-severity disabilities compared with the mid- and high-severity groups. Block velocity was highly negatively correlated (r=-0.57 to -0.86) with 15-m swimming time for all groups except high-severity disabilities. Free swim velocity is a priority area for improving swim-starts for swimmers regardless of disability given large correlations between this measure and IPS. Swimmers with lower body or high-severity disabilities spent a smaller percentage of time overall in the underwater phase. Assessment of four specific phases of the swim-start, highlight distinctive priorities for coaches working with Paralympic swimmers in an applied biomechanical manner.

Details

Title: Phases of the Swim-Start in Paralympic Swimmers are Influenced by Severity and Type of Disability
Authors: Andrew A Dingley (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
D Pyne (Author) - Australian Institute of Sport
Brendan J Burkett (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Publication details: Journal of Applied Biomechanics, Vol.30(5), pp.643-648
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Date published: 2014
DOI: 10.1123/jab.2013-0321
ISSN: 1065-8483
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99448872602621
Output Type: Journal article

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