SPECIFIC STRATEGY FOR THE MEDALLISTS VERSUS FINALISTS AND SEMI FINALISTS IN THE MEN'S 200 M BREASTSTROKE AT THE SYDNEY OLYMPIC GAMES

Abstract

The performances of the men's 200 m breaststroke at the Sydney Olympic games (final and semi-final) were studied using 12 video cameras. The four 50 m laps were analyzed to calculate the velocities, stroke frequency, stroke length, and turn velocities using a specific competition analysis computer program. The medallists swam faster than the non-medallist finalists in the third 50 m. In contrast, the percentage of the first 50 m swim duration was the longest. Compared to the semi-finalists, the medallists swam faster at all times except during the first 50 m. For the 16 swimmers, the 200 m breaststroke velocity was mainly related to the fourth 50 m lap velocity (r = 0.71; p < 0.01). From the stroke frequency and stroke length perspective, two different strategies were observed. However, these were not related to the final results.