Butterfly science.
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008Differences in spatial-temporal parameters and arm-leg coordination in butterfly stroke as a function of race pace, skill and gender.
In Hum Mov Sci. 2008 Feb;27(1):96-111. Epub 2007 Nov 1.
A significant skill effect indicated that the elite swimmers had greater velocity, stroke length, and stroke rate and stronger synchronization of the arm and leg stroke phases than the less-skilled swimmers, due to smaller T2 and T3 and greater T1. A significant gender effect revealed greater velocity and stroke length for the men, and smaller T1 for the less-skilled women. These time gap differences between skill levels were related to the capacity of elite swimmers to assume a more streamlined position of trunk, head and upper limbs during leg actions, adopt a shorter glide and higher stroke rate to overcome great forward resistance, and generate higher forces and use better technique during the arm pull. Thus, coaches are advised to begin monitoring arm-leg coordination earlier in swimmers’ careers to ensure that they attain their highest possible skill levels.