title: Upper limb kinematic differences between breathing and non-breathing conditions in front crawl sprint swimming.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the breathing action in front crawl (FC) sprint swimming affects the ipsilateral upper limb kinematics relative to a non-breathing stroke cycle (SC). Ten male competitive swimmers performed two 25m FC sprints: one breathing to their preferred side (Br) and one not breathing (NBr). Both swim trials were performed through a 6.75m(3) calibrated space and recorded by six gen-locked JVC KY32 CCD cameras. A paired t-test was used to assess statistical differences between the trials, with a confidence level of p<0.05 accepted as significant. Swimmers were slower (3%) when breathing. Within the entry phase, swimmers had a slower COM horizontal velocity (3.3%), less shoulder flexion (8%), abduction (33%) and roll (4%) when breathing. The pull phase was longer in duration (14%) swimmers had a shallower hand path (11%), less shoulder abduction (11%), a slower hand vertical acceleration (30%) and slower centre of mass (COM) horizontal velocity (3%) when breathing. In the push phase, swimmers had a smaller elbow range of motion (ROM) (38%), faster backwards hand speed (25%) and faster hand vertical acceleration (33%) when breathing. Swimmers rolled their shoulders more (12%) in the recovery phase when breathing. This study confirms that swim performance is compromised by the inclusion of taking a breath in sprint FC swimming. It was proposed that swimmers aim to orient their ipsilateral shoulder into a stronger position by stretching and rolling the shoulders more in the entry phase whilst preparing to take a breath. Swimmers should focus on lengthening the push phase by extending the elbow more and not accelerating the hand too quickly upwards when preparing to inhale.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport, Ulster University, Jordanstown Campus, BT37 0QB Jordanstown, UK; Centre for Aquatics Research & Education, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. Electronic address: c.mccabe@ulster.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Carla B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: McCabe
authors.affiliation: Centre for Aquatics Research & Education, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Ross H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.affiliation: Centre for Aquatics Research & Education, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Institute of Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Stelios G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Psycharakis
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004550:Elbow / Q000502:physiology*; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012119:Respiration; D012782:Shoulder / Q000502:physiology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Breath-holding; Freestyle swimming; Ipsilateral; Technique; Three-dimensional