SWIM START STANDPOINTS ON THE OSB11 STARTING BLOCK

Abstract

Systematic variations of the preferred stance positions of 17 elite swimmers on the OSB11 were analyzed in regard to block time, swim start times to 5 m, horizontal take-off velocities, and horizontal vs. vertical peak force values. The variations encompassed changes of the front leg (left vs. right), the centre of mass (CM) height (low vs. high), the stance width (narrow vs. wide), and a rear vs. a front weighted stance. For half of the subjects, at least one stance alter-native provided a better swim start time than the preferred stance with an average gain of 0,06s and extreme improvements of up to 0,14s. The majority of the improvements were associated with a change to the front weighted stance, a narrow foot displacement, and an elevated CM position.