Analysis of Relationships between the Level of Errors in Leg and Monofin Movement and Stroke Parameters in Monofin Swimming.

The aim of this study was to analyze the error structure in propulsive movements with regard to its influence on monofin swimming speed. The random cycles performed by six swimmers were filmed during a progressive test (900m). An objective method to estimate errors committed in the area of angular displacement of the feet and monofin segments was employed. The parameters were compared with a previously described model. Mutual dependences between the level of errors, stroke frequency, stroke length and amplitude in relation to swimming velocity were analyzed. The results showed that proper foot movements and the avoidance of errors, arising at the distal part of the fin, ensure the progression of swimming speed. The individual stroke parameters distribution which consists of optimally increasing stroke frequency to the maximal possible level that enables the stabilization of stroke length leads to the minimization of errors. Identification of key elements in the stroke structure based on the analysis of errors committed should aid in improving monofin swimming technique. Key pointsThe monofin swimming technique was evaluated through the prism of objectively defined errors committed by the swimmers.The dependences between the level of errors, stroke rate, stroke length and amplitude in relation to swimming velocity were analyzed.Optimally increasing stroke rate to the maximal possible level that enables the stabilization of stroke length leads to the minimization of errors.Propriety foot movement and the avoidance of errors arising at the distal part of fin, provide for the progression of swimming speed.The key elements improving monofin swimming technique, based on the analysis of errors committed, were designated.

[1]  J. Chatard,et al.  Biomechanics and medicine in swimming IX , 2003 .

[2]  D. Chollet,et al.  Stroking Characteristic Variations in the 100-M Freestyle for Male Swimmers of Differing Skill , 1997, Perceptual and motor skills.

[3]  A. P. Hollander,et al.  Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming VII , 1996 .

[4]  D R Pendergast,et al.  Energetics of underwater swimming with SCUBA. , 1996, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[5]  Marek Rejman,et al.  Modeling of monofin swimming technique: optimization of feet displacement and fin strain. , 2009, Journal of applied biomechanics.

[6]  EFFECTS OF STROKING PARAMETERS CHANGES ON TIME TO EXHAUSTION , 2006 .

[7]  S. Li.  Biomechanical Study of Fin-swimming and Fins , 1989 .

[8]  M. Latash,et al.  Motor control and learning , 2006 .

[9]  K. Keskinen,et al.  Maximum velocity swimming interrelationships of stroking characteristics force production and anthropometric variables , 1989 .

[10]  Alberto E. Minetti,et al.  Economy and efficiency of swimming at the surface with fins of different size and stiffness , 2006, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[11]  Timothy D. Lee,et al.  Motor Control and Learning: A Behavioral Emphasis , 1982 .

[12]  Jeanne Dekerle,et al.  The use of critical velocity in swimming: A place for critical stroke rate? , 2006 .

[13]  T. Y. Wu,et al.  Hydromechanics of swimming propulsion. Part 1. Swimming of a two-dimensional flexible plate at variable forward speeds in an inviscid fluid , 1971, Journal of Fluid Mechanics.

[14]  M Miyashita,et al.  A simple method for determining critical speed as swimming fatigue threshold in competitive swimming. , 1992, International journal of sports medicine.

[15]  X. Nesi,et al.  Stroking parameters in front crawl swimming and maximal lactate steady state speed. , 2005, International journal of sports medicine.

[16]  T. Y. Wu,et al.  Hydromechanics of swimming propulsion. Part 2. Some optimum shape problems , 1971, Journal of Fluid Mechanics.

[17]  J. Foley.  The co-ordination and regulation of movements , 1968 .

[18]  Laurene V. Fausett,et al.  Fundamentals Of Neural Networks , 1993 .

[19]  N. Thornton,et al.  The Swim Coaching Bible , 2001 .

[20]  T. Y. Wu,et al.  Swimming of a waving plate , 1961, Journal of Fluid Mechanics.

[21]  Benoit Bideau,et al.  A kinematic and dynamic comparison of surface and underwater displacement in high level monofin swimming. , 2009, Human movement science.

[22]  R. Bainbridge,et al.  The Speed of Swimming of Fish as Related to Size and to the Frequency and Amplitude of the Tail Beat , 1958 .

[23]  R H Sanders,et al.  Wave characteristics of butterfly swimming. , 1995, Journal of biomechanics.

[24]  B. Yegnanarayana,et al.  Artificial Neural Networks , 2004 .

[25]  Huub M Toussaint,et al.  Effect of fatigue on stroking characteristics in an arms-only 100-m front-crawl race. , 2006, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[26]  Liu,et al.  A computational fluid dynamics study of tadpole swimming , 1996, The Journal of experimental biology.

[27]  Eric Berton,et al.  How are Strouhal number, drag, and efficiency adjusted in high level underwater monofin-swimming? , 2007, Human movement science.

[28]  Paola Zamparo,et al.  Effects of age and gender on the propelling efficiency of the arm stroke , 2006, European Journal of Applied Physiology.

[29]  S. Plagenhoef,et al.  Patterns of human motion;: A cinematographic analysis , 1971 .

[30]  P Zamparo,et al.  How fins affect the economy and efficiency of human swimming. , 2002, The Journal of experimental biology.

[31]  Motomu Nakashima,et al.  Development of a Simulation Model for Monofin Swimming , 2010 .

[32]  Kurt Meinel,et al.  Bewegungslehre Sportmotorik : Abriss einer Theorie der sportlichen Motorik unter pädagogischem Aspekt , 2007 .

[33]  Nicolas Bideau,et al.  A new system for analyzing swim fin propulsion based on human kinematic data. , 2010, Journal of biomechanics.

[34]  J A Pawelczyk,et al.  Velocity, stroke rate, and distance per stroke during elite swimming competition. , 1985, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[35]  James R. Morrow,et al.  Measurement and Evaluation in Human Performance , 1995 .