LOWER LIMBS JOINTS MOTION DURING SUBMAXIMAL 100-M BUTTERFLY

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in the angular kinematics of the downbeat actions among four laps of a submaximal 100-m butterfly swim. Four female trained swimmers performed a 100-m butterfly at submaximal intensity (80% of individual’s best performance). One above and one underwater camera, positioned to capture motion in the swimmer’s sagittal plane, were used for movement analysis. Findings revealed that fatigue seems to affect the segmental co-ordination during downbeat actions at third and fourth laps. During the last laps swimmers registered a shorter time to extension of the knee joint in the second downbeat. It was also observed at third and fourth laps a decrease in knee and ankle angular displacement and velocity in both downbeats.