THE APPLICATION OF HIGH-SPEED VIDEOGRAPHY TO THE KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF FREESTYLE SWIMMING

The purpose of this paper is to present the preliminary results of the use of high-speed videography and subsequent “multi-2D ” motion analysis in the study of selected factors associated with Freestyle swimming. Variations in hip velocity in the longitudinal plane of motion were assessed in a series of trials which required swimmers to (1) Perform the underwater pull phase using the traditional “90-degree ” elbow bend; and (2) Repeat the effort while holding the elbow in a fully extended position; (3) Allow the elbows to precede the hands while attempting to engage the water during the propulsive phase, i.e. pull with a “dropped elbow. ” and (4) Consciously guide the hands through an exaggerated lateral path, referred to as the “S pull”; The resulting data produced quantifiable results that address a number of technical assumptions long-held by coaches and swimmers. KEY WORDS: freestyle swimming, kinematic, high-speed videography