An assessment of the kinematic and metabolic characteristics of the breaststroke.
type: CreativeWork
description: This thesis aimed to provide an examination of the kinematic and metabolic responses of breaststroke swimming, including the effects of changing pace. Study 1 provided a description of competition swimming including rarely reported temporal elements (start time CST) to 15 m, turning times (IT s) for the 7.5 m ingress and 7.5 m egress, end time (ET) - fmal5 m) as well as repeated measurements of turning times, mid-pool swimming velocity, stroke rate (SR) and stroke length (SL) as races progressed. Mid-pool swimming velocity, ST and IT were found to be significantly related with finishing time (FT) and each other suggesting that coaches should adopt an holistic approach to the training of breaststroke swimmers. Stroke rate and IT were found to increase as races evolved while mid-pool SV and SL decreased. A detailed comparison of the 100 m and 200 m events suggested that event specific preparation might be needed and that there was a potential for swimmers of the 200 m event to reduce their ST. In Study 2 a multiple regression analysis utilising kinematic and temporal variables demonstrated that SV was the primary determinant of FT. Turning time was the secondary determinant of IT in all events except the men's 100 m where ST had greater relative importance. The analysis produced precise predictive equations of FT which could be used by coaches to predict race performance and to prescribe race pace training. Studies 3, 4 and 5 established that breaststroke swimmers could be paced precisely and reliably using the Aquapacer during moderate to high intensity 200 m breaststroke trials, subject to the onset of fatigue. Stroke kinematic (SR, stroke count SC) and metabolic responses (blood lactate, gas exchange and heart rate) elicited during the trials of Study 3 were found to be reproducible. During 200 m trials paced at 98 %, 100 % and 102 % of a subject's mean maximal 200 m speed (Study 4) SR was elevated to increase swimming velocity, and to compensate for a deterioratio…
abstract: This thesis aimed to provide an examination of the kinematic and metabolic responses of breaststroke swimming, including the effects of changing pace. Study 1 provided a description of competition swimming including rarely reported temporal elements (start time CST) to 15 m, turning times (IT s) for the 7.5 m ingress and 7.5 m egress, end time (ET) - fmal5 m) as well as repeated measurements of turning times, mid-pool swimming velocity, stroke rate (SR) and stroke length (SL) as races progressed. Mid-pool swimming velocity, ST and IT were found to be significantly related with finishing time (FT) and each other suggesting that coaches should adopt an holistic approach to the training of breaststroke swimmers. Stroke rate and IT were found to increase as races evolved while mid-pool SV and SL decreased. A detailed comparison of the 100 m and 200 m events suggested that event specific preparation might be needed and that there was a potential for swimmers of the 200 m event to reduce their ST. In Study 2 a multiple regression analysis utilising kinematic and temporal variables demonstrated that SV was the primary determinant of FT. Turning time was the secondary determinant of IT in all events except the men's 100 m where ST had greater relative importance. The analysis produced precise predictive equations of FT which could be used by coaches to predict race performance and to prescribe race pace training. Studies 3, 4 and 5 established that breaststroke swimmers could be paced precisely and reliably using the Aquapacer during moderate to high intensity 200 m breaststroke trials, subject to the onset of fatigue. Stroke kinematic (SR, stroke count SC) and metabolic responses (blood lactate, gas exchange and heart rate) elicited during the trials of Study 3 were found to be reproducible. During 200 m trials paced at 98 %, 100 % and 102 % of a subject's mean maximal 200 m speed (Study 4) SR was elevated to increase swimming velocity, and to compensate for a deterioratio…
author: Thompson, K G
keywords: RC1200 Sports Medicine
date published: 2000-01
date modified: 2026-07-24T06:30:08Z
provider: Liverpool Jon Moores University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Liverpool John Moores University

PropertyValue
property ID: DOI
value: 10.24377/LJMU.t.00005123