Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of passive underwater torque on active body angle with the horizontal during front crawl swimming and to assess the effect of body size on passive torque and active body angle. Additionally, the effects of passive torque, body angle and hydrostatic lift on maximal sprinting performance were addressed. Ten boys [aged 11.7 (0.8) years] and 12 male adult [aged 21.4 (3.7) years] swimmers volunteered to participate. Their body angle with the horizontal was measured at maximal velocity, and at two submaximal velocities using an underwater video camera system. Passive torque and hydrostatic lift were measured during an underwater weighing procedure, and the center of mass and center of volume were determined. The results showed that passive torque correlated significantly with the body angle at a velocity 63% of vmax (α63 r=−0.57), and that size-normalized passive torque correlated significantly with the α63 and α77 (77% of vmax) with r=−0.59 and r=−0.54 respectively. Hydrostatic lift correlated with α63 with r=−0.45. The negative correlation coefficients are suggested to be due to the adults having learned to overcome passive torque when swimming at submaximal velocities by correcting their body angle. It is concluded that at higher velocities the passive torque and hydrostatic lift do not influence body angle during swimming. At a velocity of 63% of vmax, hydrostatic lift and passive torque influences body angle. Passive torque and size-normalized passive torque increases with body size. When corrected for body size, hydrostatic lift and passive torque did not influence the maximal sprinting velocity.
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Acknowledgements
We appreciate the help of Mrs Calisa Schouweiler and Mr Ole Fjørtoft with data collection. Prof. Gerald Smith and Associate Prof. Svein Linge are thanked for their careful reviews of the manuscript. Finally, all the swimmers and their coaches are thanked for their participation in this study.
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Kjendlie, PL., Stallman, R.K. & Stray-Gundersen, J. Passive and active floating torque during swimming. Eur J Appl Physiol 93, 75–81 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-004-1165-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-004-1165-7