COMPARING FREESTYLE SWIMMING, START AND TURN TECHNIQUE PARAMETERS
USING THE NEW ADIDAS JETCONSEPT SWIMSUIT
by Rein Haljand

Introduction

Swimming performances are getting better every year. That is a result of hard work of swimmers, coaches, scientists. During the last period different swimsuits are created to help that process.

Changes of technique and positive effect using full body suits during the race have been well noticed by many high level trained swimmers, but not well documented by parameters of technique. In the present testing we examined changes in swimming technique and as well in the technique of starts and turns of high level male freestyle swimmers using different new Adidas swimsuits and traditional ”trunks”.

Aim

The aim was to find changes of movement technique parameters by phases and elements comparing swimming using the new full bodysuits and traditional “trunks”.

Methods

Testing system for registration, analyses and evaluation of the swimming technique was created by the author and has been used and proven during a long period of time in a variety of situations, to fix swimming, start and turn parameters. In a 50m pool above water and underwater video was used with computer systems measuring and calculating the data of two top level swimmers – their freestyle swimming, starts and turns. Each swimmer was tested for start and 25m swimming from the start signal; and another 50m swimming with turns (25m before + 25m after). The swimming was performed at high speeds. Each swimmer repeated each start, turn and swimming 4 times with an interval of approximately 5 minutes for rest..

For analyses of START parameters all start movements were calculated from signal until the end of the first swimming cycle.

For analyses of TURN parameters all turn movements were calculated from one swimming stroke cycle before turn, untill one swimming stroke cycle after turn.

For analyses of SWIMMING STYLE four swimming stroke cycle parameters were calculated:
1 - swimming cycle immediately after start actions (approx. 15m from start)
2 - swimming cycle at the end of the 25m lap after start
3 - swimming cycle before turn (approx. 10m before)
4 - swimming cycle after turn (approx. 15m after)

For video recordings 4 digital video cameras were used:
- side view camera underwater (camera moved along the poolside)
- side view camera above water (camera moved along the poolside)
- side view camera on tripod for start jump
- front view camera above water with zooming for water flow and turbulence analyses

For analyses of SWIMMING TECHNIQUE the calculations included stroke length, frequency, forward speed during phases, hand relative horizontal speed of strokes, horizontal slip of pull or push through water.

For analyses of TURNS TECHNIQUE the calculations included forward speed in and out, rotation time, pushing speed, gliding speed, and pullout speed.

For analyses of STARTS TECHNIQUE the calculations included take off time, push-off time, flight speed, entry speed, gliding speed, and pullout speed.

Specially UNDERWATER FLY KICKING PHASE was analyzed after starts and turns

Method of calculating those parameters was based on video analyses of movement phases. Calculations were made using digitizing system that consisted of hardware and software created by the author.

Method of analyses and evaluation of movement technique was based on Freestyle start, turn and swimming technique MODELS created by the author and widely used for preparation and testing of high level swimmers around the world.

Measured values are presented as follows:
- all durations are in seconds (sec)
- gliding length is in meters (m)
- speeds are in meters per second (m/s)

Swimmer 1
Table 1 - Start
Table 2 - Swimming
Table 3 - Turn

Swimmer 2 - Ian Thorpe
Table 1 - Start
Table 2 - Swimming
Table 3 - Turn
Table 4 - Underwater flykicks after Start
Table 4 - Underwater flykicks after Turn

Discussions

There is a very clear difference between all starts, turns and swimming with the new suits and the old trunks. As a result we may conclude that there are positive changes to swimmers technique elements, using new suits. The tested swimmers feel that swimming with the new suits raises legs higher and changes the body position to more horizontal and flat for better propulsion. We can confirm that by visual analyses of all video clips from different views. It is possible, that using the new suits, swimmers feelings are based on higher speed of water moving under the body, and less amount of water carrying on the back of the swimmer. This is very well seen on the pictures and video clips from above and under the water in comparison of the new full body suits to traditional trunks.

As a result we may conclude that for all swimming competition elements – start, turn and swimming – the new suits tested here in this analysis show positive changes.

• For all competition elements – swimming, start and turn – swimmers felt better with the new suit.
• For all competition elements, the swimmers with consistent skills of the technical phases’ elements are technically better using the new suits.
• During repeated tests with the same suit, there were no remarkable differences.
• During repeated test with the same trunks there were no remarkable differences.

More detailed analyses of each parameter show:

• Forward gliding length during pullout strokes from start and turn are increased using the new swimsuits, which is positive and good.

It may be the result of:
o decreasing resistance of body during pullout phase from water;
o better arm stroking actions for pullout strokes, using full bodysuit;
o better leg kicking propulsion using full bodysuit during exit;
o better streamlining during pullout phase thanks to carrying less amount of water on the back of the swimmer during he pullout phase;
o all the listed things together

• The duration and length of the underwater leg kicking phase during start - with the new swimsuit it is remarkably longer that when using trunks, which is very good.
• Forward speed of the body at the water entry phase during start is better using the new swimsuit.
• Parameters of underwater kicking phase are better when using the new swimsuit.
• Parameters of arm strokes (relative velocity of hand backward, hand slip during pulling phase) after starts and turns and during swimming confirm that using new swimsuit helps swimmer to make arm strokes with less or no slipping through water.

Those elements are depending also on the effects of the leg kicking propulsion. If legs support very well, then arms can take more economical strokes.

According to all this we may conclude that the process of creating the new swimsuits show the right direction - decreasing resistance of body during freestyle swimming, start and turns, making more economical leg actions and arm strokes.

The presented data is selected from the best parameters of all measured tests (82) of 2 world class swimmers – including Ian Thorpe - using different Adidas swimsuits and comparing the data with the best parameters when using traditional trunks.