SWEEP LENGTH VS SWEEP RATE ANALYSIS IN COMPETITIVE MALE AND FEMALE CURLERS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine sweep length and sweep rate in competitive male and female curlers. Sixteen curlers (8 males, 8 females) completed a 25-second bout of maximal effort sweeping which was video recorded and analyzed using Dartfish. Sweep length and sweep rate were determined for each 5-second interval (0-5s, 5-10s, 10-15s, 15-20s, 20-25s). Comparisons were made among time intervals and between genders. Sweep length was found to be similar between genders (p = 0.922), with significant differences seen between the 0-5s and 5-10s time intervals (p < 0.05). Sweep rate was significantly faster for males across all time intervals (p < 0.001), with males and females showing differences in the rate at which sweep rate decreased over time. This information may help curlers improve their sweeping strategy during competitive play.