The purpose of this study was to determine if swimming skill could be interpreted directly from the energy cost of swimming (C ) per unit distance at a given velocity. A total of 101 males were5 studied. Three performance levels were determined from the slower (A) to the faster (B, C) times over a 400 m swim. For a given velocity, there were no statistical differences in C between the three levels. However, at level C and at 1.1 m/s, C was reduced by 55% and 25% when compared to levels A and B and when calculated per unit of surface area and hydrostatic lift. To evaluate the specific influence of arm length two groups of long- and short-armed swimmers were selected among swimmers of similar height and performance. The C was significantly (P < 0.05) higher by 12 ± 3.3% for short-armed than long-armed swimmers. To evaluate the influence of different types of swimming technique two other groups of similar performance and anthropometric characteristics were selected. The C was significantly higher by 15 ± 3.8% for swimmers preferentially tsing their legs than their arm (P < 0.05). The C of the sprinters was 16.5 ± 3% higher than that of the long-distan~e swimmers. For all the groups, C increased with velocity on average by 10% every 0.1 m/s. Thus, technical ability cannot be interpreted directly from C~. Perfor-mance levels, body size, type of swimming technique and velocity must also be taken into account.
© Copyright 1992 Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming. Swimming Science VI. Julkaistu Tekijä E & FN Spon. Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään. / Kääntänyt https://www.DeepL.com/Translator