INTRODUCTION: Sculling is a common used technique in synchronized swimming and, although its importance is undeniable in this sport, very few studies were implemented to date. In fact, no study seems to have quantified the force produced by the swimmer performing this technique. As the appearance of fatigue during sculling was also not yet studied, it was aimed to measure the force production and the fatigue induced by standard and contra-standard sculling. METHODS: A 30 s maximum intensity tethered synchronized swimming test was applied over a total of thirteen synchronized swimmers, in order to determine individual force (F) to time curves - F(t) -, in two conditions: (i) standard sculling, and (ii) contra-standard sculling. Fatigue was assessed through the fatigue index (FI) computed using the F(t) extreme values and time. RESULTS: The absolute mean ± SD values for maximal force (Fmax) and FI in standard and contra-standard sculling were 40.77 ± 12.39 N and 34.58 ± 5.41 N, and 46.88 ± 17.62 % and 37.87 ± 11.26 %, respectively. Almost all the synchronized swimmers reached higher absolute and relative Fmax in standard sculling. The higher observed values of Fmax in standard and contra-standard sculling were 62,59N and 43,64N, respectively. The values of FI evidenced that the F values, despite all the variations observed, declined during the 30 s effort in all participants and in both sculling conditions. With the exception of Fmax values, none of the variables studied were different between standard and contra-standard sculling. DISCUSSION: Almost all the synchronized swimmers reached higher values of Fmax in standard sculling, which can be related to the possibility of this action to be a more "natural" movement from the anatomical point a view. Additionally, swimmers who reached higher Fmax values were, in general, the oldest, taller, heaviest and with a higher arm span, which is in line with the swimming related literature (Sidney et al., 1996). The synchronized swimmers who reached higher Fmax in standard and contra-standard sculling do not present the higher values of FI, which may be explained by differences in maturation, anthropometric characteristics and training background. However, it was observed an inverse relationship between FI and the average of minimum forces. In conclusion, there were differences in Fmax production between standard and contra-standard sculling in synchronized swimmers.
© Copyright 2010 Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming XI. Julkaistu Tekijä Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään. / Kääntänyt https://www.DeepL.com/Translator