NEUROMUSCULAR ACTIVATION DURING ROTATION AND PUSH-OFF PHASES OF BACKSTROKE TO BREASTSTROKE TURNING TECHNIQUES IN AGE-GROUP SWIMMERS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess and compare, through electromyography, the neuromuscular activation during the rotation and push-off phases of four backstroke to breaststroke swimming turns. Eight male swimmers volunteered in this study, comparing the open turn, the back flip turn and the crossover turn. The crossover turn was the one that most activated the studied muscle. Erector spinae (ES) and rectus abdominis (RA), as well as latissimus dorsi (LD) were the main activated muscles during rotation phase. Gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and Tibialis anterior (TA) were mainly activated muscles during the explosive action of the push-off phase. These results provided better understanding about neuromuscular contributions during rotation and push-off of turning performance.