Changes in selected parameters of swimming technique in the back crawl and the front crawl in young novice swimmers

J Hum Kinet. 2013 Jul 5:37:161-71. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2013-0037. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

The study aimed to examine changes in selected angular characteristics and duration of the stroke cycle in the back crawl and the front crawl in children learning to swim. Nine boys and two girls, aged 8-13 years, performed seven consecutive swimming tests. The children's movement technique was recorded with the use of three video cameras. The studied parameters included the angle of incidence between the trunk long axis and the waterline, elbow angle, shoulders roll, stroke cycle duration and stroke length. The results illustrate the development of swimming technique in youth swimmers. The results of the present study indicate the variability and phasing of learning of swimming technique by children.

Keywords: angles; distance per stroke; shoulders roll; stroke cycle; swimming.