THE TURNING MOTION AND FORCES INVOLVED IN THE BACKSTROKE FLIP TURN

Abstract

This study examined the backstroke turning motion. Twelve male and female subjects, including beginners and trained swimmers, performed backstroke flipturns. The time taken from 5m turn in to 2.5m turn out ranged from 4.25sec to 6.31sec. There was a significant difference between the beginners and trained subjects during the preparation and beginning of turn phases. The forces during the push off phase ranged from 1040.6N - 321.9N. Values for trained backstroke swimmers were approximately equal to 50% of the values for trained crawl swimmers (Takahashi 1983), and 100% for semi-trained crawl swimmers (Goya 1997). This study revealed that the streamlined position after push off might be a very important factor influencing the magnitude of kick off force and direction.