Forward velocity in relation to a specific timing sequence in butterfly swimming

Abstract

Six female and 5 male subjects performed a maximal effort 100 yd, butterfly time trial. The purpose of the test was to investigate if, there was a link between the swimmer's forward velocity and the amount of time between the end of the downward portion of the first kick and the finish of the outsweep of the hands. Subjects were filmed underwater from the front in order to best show the movements of interest. The sequence was then analyzed on a stop action/single frame advance VHS player. A constant frame speed of 30 frames per second was utilized. No statistical difference was found in the comparison between the timing pattern and velocity. other comparisons between the change in the subject's 2nd and 4th length were studied, such as: the increase in the swimming time, and number sf strokes. None of the comparisons were significant. A paired t-test did show a significant increase (P = .01) between the subjects 2nd and 4th length velocities. Individual difference variables may be the reason for these differences.