Development of feedback system for improving backstroke start performance in competitive swimming

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K13156
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Sports science
• Research Institution: Niigata University of Health and Welfare
• Principal Investigator: Nara Rio 新潟医療福祉大学, 健康科学部, 助教 (70708148)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 競泳 / 背泳ぎ / スタート技術 / 関節伸展

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study investigated how the difference in the timing of the extension of the joints of the lower limbs during take-off affects the backstroke start performance. Eleven backstroke swimmers performed three lower-limb joint extension sequences of backstroke start: knee extension after hip extension (KAH), simultaneous hip and knee extension (SHK), and knee extension before hip extension (KBH).
The shortest 5-m time was performed at KAH. The greater trochanter (GT) vertical positions at toe-off were higher at KAH and SHK than at KBH. KAH had a shorter entry range, defined as the horizontal distance from the fingertip (FT) to the GT entry in the water, than KBH and SHK.
The results suggested that KAH makes it easier to take the arched-back posture after toe-off, allowing the performance of a hole-entry technique that reduces the entry range and the 5-m time.

Free Research Field

スポーツ科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

背泳ぎスタートルールの改正後、スタート合図前の構えに関する研究が中心に進められてきた。従って、スタート合図後の動きに着目する本研究の遂行ができたことにより、背泳ぎスタート局面全体の動作を記述することができた。その上、至適な股関節伸展角度を明らかにできた点は、評価指標を示すコーチングとは一線を画しており、競技者に合わせたコーチングを可能にすることが考えられる。
さらに、これらの研究結果は、スイミングクラブや学校体育など、水泳指導の現場に取り入れることが出来ることが考えられる。