Effects of differences in physical characteristics between the genders on breaststroke kicking motion

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K24305
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0909:Sports sciences, physical education, health sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: Nihon Fukushi University (2021-2022); National Agency for the Advancement of Sports and Health (2019-2020)
• Principal Investigator: Yuji Matsuda 日本福祉大学, スポーツ科学部, 准教授 (50636371)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 水泳 / 男女差 / 指導法 / 股関節 / パフォーマンス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The propulsive contribution of the kick and pull in breaststroke differed between male and female swimmers, with female swimmers in particular gaining greater swimming velocity in the kicking motion. Three-dimensional analysis of the kicking motion revealed that females compared to males 1) moved their feet relatively lateral and 2) had relatively greater internal/external rotation angle and angular velocities compared to other joints. It was found that females and males exhibit different movement patterns at the hip joint. It was suggested that the different movements were related to joint range of motion differences. With regard to the muscle activation pattern of the lower limb, it was demonstrated that men and women showed similar patterns of activation.

Free Research Field

スポーツバイオメカニクス

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、ヒトの泳ぎの基礎的動作にも関わらず、今なお未解明な平泳ぎの下肢動作の推進メカニズムを、3次元動作分析、筋活動パターン、身体的特徴など多角的な観点から分析した点において学術的に価値があるといえる。本研究成果を鑑みて、指導現場において、男女で部分的に指導方法を分ける必要性があることが示唆された。平泳ぎは学校教育にも取り入れられる基礎的な動作であり、本研究成果は学校教育における初心者指導にも、男女で異なる指導法の必要性についての根拠を示すものである。