KINEMATICAL ANALYSIS OF THE SWIMMING START: BLOCK, FLIGHT AND UNDERWATER PHASES

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze, through kinemetry, the block, flight and underwater phases of the swimming start. The sample was composed by 4 swimmers. Four VHS video cameras were used. Analyzed variables: block time, flight time and distance, angle of entry, maximum depth achieved, time, distance and average velocity of the underwater phase and total start time in 15 meters. Pearson’s correlation was used to verify the relationship between the variables.Flight distance, angle of entry, depth achieved and average velocity under teh water presented significant correlation with the starting time (r = -0.482, 0.512, 0.515 and -0.645, respectively), being all important factors to be observed by athletes and coaches, who should look forward to reach best values of the variables in order to improve the execution of swimming starts.