title: Different profiles of the aerial start phase in front crawl.
abstract: This study analyzed the kinematics and kinetics (jumping ability) of the aerial start phase in 11 elite front crawl sprinters. The aim was to determine whether a particular start technique leads to a short 15 m start time or whether several start profiles contribute equally well. All swimmers performed 3 starts using their preferential style, which was the grab start for all, followed by a 25-m swim at maximal velocity. Countermovement jump enabled to determine vertical jumping ability. Using a video device, phase durations, angles at takeoff and entry, and hip velocity were assessed. Correlation between all variables and the 15 m start time established the common features of an effective start but also revealed great intersubject variability. Cluster analysis enabled to distinguish 4 start profiles (flat, pike, flight, and Volkov), indicating that several individual profiles lead to short 15 m start times. It could be advised to consider the intersubject variability in relation to start time before favoring unique strategy.
authors.affiliation: CETAPS (EA 3832), University of Rouen, Mont Saint Aignan, France. ludovic.seifert@univ-rouen.fr
authors.forename: Ludovic
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Seifert
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vantorre
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lemaitre
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chollet
authors.forename: Huub M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Toussaint
authors.forename: João-Paulo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Vilas-Boas
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000886:Anthropometry; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*; D013909:Thorax / Q000502:physiology*; D014741:Video Recording; D055815:Young Adult