Comparison of the stroke parameters between front-crawl swimming and swim bench

Abstract

The swimming bench has been used as complementary training in swimming, however, there are no studies that analyze in three dimensions the specificity movement applied by this land-based swimming simulator. The aim of the study was to compare the stroke parameters of front-crawl swimming and swim-bench, as well as movement symmetry. Ten swimmers (16 ± 1.4 years) were filmed in a real swimming condition (50m) and a 30s swim bench stroke simulation using four GoPro Hero 4 cameras. Stroke dimensions, hand speed in the underwater phase and hip displacement were analyzed. Comparison between tests and sides symmetry was performed by two-way repeated measurements ANOVA and stroke rate between the tests was analyzed by Student's t-test. Swimmers showed a symmetrical characteristic in both conditions which indicates high body control and proficiency. The stroke dimensions differed between tests, mainly explained by the displacement limitation, trunk and hip rotation in the swim bench. The stroke rate and underwater hand speed pattern were similar (p> 0.05) and partially justify the use of this equipment as complementary land-based training, evaluation and control of the swimmers performance.