The intracycle velocity fluctuations of the elite butterfly swimmers

Abstract

The scientific and special literature review revealed insufficient study of the swimmers technical readiness, which are specialized in butterfly swimming, from the standpoint of the kinetic characteristics analysis. Applying the hydroacoustic speedography method, the intracycle velocity fluctuations (IVF) peculiarities of elite butterfly swimmers, both male and female, were considered. More than 100 stroke cycles were analyzed, performed by 6 swimmers (3 men and 3 women) as part of a year-round training cycle. The instantaneous speed qualitative and quantitative analysis of the gender differences in the swimming technique is shown. The efficiency of the averaged IVF variability is determining over three stroke cycles, selected according to the highest average speed indicator, has been substantiated. It is revealed that at the moments of the beginning and end of the underwater part of the stroke, which require the swimmers ability for optimally coordinate the arms and legs movements, the greatest values of the IVF scatter are observed. Based on the research results generalization, both particular and generalized recommendations are given for the analysis and interpretation of the instantaneous velocity graphs. Conclusions are made regarding to the practical use of the presented methodology in coaching practice.