Performance in 200 m front crawl: coordination index, propulsive time and stroke parameters

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare coordination index, propulsive time, duration of stroke phases and kinematic parameters over 200 m front crawl. Variables were compared among four sections of 50 m (T1 to T4) in fifteen competitive swimmers (age: 21.1 ± 7.1 years; height: 180.1 ± 6.1 cm; height: 187.3 ± 8, 1 cm; body mass: 72.1 ± 10.1 kg; better performance in the race: 77.5 ± 4.7% of the world record). Data were obtained with two video cameras (60 Hz - coupled to a cart on rails on the side of the pool) for simultaneous images of the swimmer’s sagittal plan: below the water line and above the water line. Mean stroke rate stroke length, assumed as the mean distance traveled per cycle, and mean swimming speed were obtained with manual timing. Over the 200 m, the coordination index remained unchanged (p >0.05), but there was an increase in the frequency of cycles (p <0.05) and reduction of distance traveled per cycle (p <0.05). Between T1 and T2, there was an increase in the propulsive time (p <0.05) and between T1 and T4, there was an increase in the length of the pull phase (p <0.05). The swimming speed decreased only between T1 and T2 (p <0.05). Over 200 m front crawl, well-trained swimmers increment propulsive time and pull phase duration and frequency of stroke cycles, and such changes may be due to the speed maintenance attempt over the 200 m.