title: The effect of different kick start positions on OMEGA OSB11 blocks on free swimming time to 15m in developmental level swimmers.
abstract: The introduction of the OMEGA OSB11 starting blocks (Swiss Timing, Corgémont, Switzerland) which feature an adjustable inclined plate built into the rear of the platform, have led to the evolution of the "kick start" style of swimming start. Previous studies examining the effect of different starting positions using the OSB11 starting blocks have not examined swimming performance over distances beyond 7.5m. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to compare three starting positions (front, neutral and rear-weighted) using the kick start to determine whether a given position can improve swimming performance over a 15m distance. After undergoing four weeks of dive training using each of the three positions, ten developmental level swimmers completed three 20m sprint trials in each position. Results indicated that the neutral and rear-weighted positions produced faster times to 15m (p<.01) when compared to the front-weighted position. Starting position did not affect the swimmer's velocity between 4.5 and 5.5m or between 14.5 and 15.5m (p=.50). Developmental level swimmers should choose between a neutral-weighted or rear-weighted position on the new OSB11 starting blocks.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Barlow
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: mark.halaki@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Halaki
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of Sydney, Australia; Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia.
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stuelcken
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of Sydney, Australia; Faculty of Health, Social Care & Education, Anglia Ruskin University, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Sinclair
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000293:Adolescent; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019876:Sports Equipment; D013550:Swimming; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Competition block; Kick start; Swim start; Swimming