The purpose of this study was to compare the relative contributions of strength (measured by force, F) and technique (measured by the active drag coefficient, Cd) to swimming performance. Male (n = 40) and female (n = 40) swimmers were tested with Aquanex+Video swimming four trials (one of each stroke) over a 20 m course. Underwater video, hand force data, and swim time were collected over the last 10 m. The magnitude of the difference between faster and slower swimmers in both F and Cd was calculated as an effect size (ES). The mean ES for the Cd was almost double the ES for F, indicating that the advantage faster swimmers have over slower swimmers is derived more from technique than strength. Coaches can use this information to implement the most appropriate interventions for continued improvement.
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