Head Depth and Head Speed During Competitive Backstroke Ledge Starts

Authors

Wesley J. Manz, Indiana University, BloomingtonFollow
Joel T. Greenshields, Indiana University, BloomingtonFollow
Brian V. Wright, DePauw UniversityFollow
Curtis S. Goss, Indiana University, BloomingtonFollow
Benjamin C. Skutnik, Indiana University, BloomingtonFollow
Joel M. Stager, Indiana University, BloomingtonFollow

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25035/ijare.12.01.01

Disciplines

Biomechanics | Exercise Science | Health and Physical Education | Kinesiology | Other Public Health | Sports Sciences

Abstract

Recently, a commercially available starting ‘ledge’ designed to reduce foot slippage during the execution of the backstroke start was introduced in competitive swimming. For the purpose of identifying potential safety consequences, the present study investigated the effect of ledge use on head depths, speeds, and distances in backstroke starts of athletes with no prior or only novice familiarity of the ledge. Competitive backstroke starts were performed with and without ledges by high school-aged (14.5 to 19.2 yr, N = 61) swimmers in 1.52 m of water during a closed testing session. A SIMI Reality Motion System in a calibrated space using three cameras was employed for filming starts. Dependent measures were initial head height (Y_set), distance from wall at entry (X_entry), entry angle (Angle_entry), horizontal velocity at head entry (XVel_entry), resultant velocity at entry (ResVel_entry), maximum depth of the center of the head (Y_mhd), resultant velocity at maximum head depth (ResVel_mhd), and distance from the wall at maximum head depth (X_mhd). The ledge (L) condition showed significant increases compared to the non-ledge (NL) condition in X_entry (L 1.61 ± 0.59 m, NL 1.50 ± 0.53 m, p < .001), ResVel_entry (L 3.44 ± 0.97 m·s^-1, NL 3.08 ± 1.00 m·s^-1, p < .001), Angle_entry (L 43.13 ± 16.97°, NL 39.66 ± 18.11°, p = .030), X_mhd (L 4.18 ± 0.58 m, NL 4.09 ± 0.63 m, p = .008), and Y_mhd (L 0.54 ± 0.21 m, NL 0.49 ± 0.18, p

Recommended Citation

Manz, Wesley J.; Greenshields, Joel T.; Wright, Brian V.; Goss, Curtis S.; Skutnik, Benjamin C.; and Stager, Joel M. (2019) "Head Depth and Head Speed During Competitive Backstroke Ledge Starts," International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education: Vol. 12: No. 1, Article 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25035/ijare.12.01.01
Available at: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/ijare/vol12/iss1/1