The purpose of the study was to determine the relative contribution of the drag and lift forces in the separate phases of the underwater stroke in front crawl swimming. Ten female swimmers swam 25 m with maximal intensity. Four camcorders (60 Hz) were used to record the underwater motion of the right hand, and the digitizing of selected points was undertaken manually using the Ariel Performance Analysis System. During the pull phase the drag force was significantly greater than lift force, while during the push phase there was no significant differences. Both drag and lift forces are important for appropriate propulsion. However, the drag force is decisive for the propulsion in both propulsive phases of the underwater motion of the hand, while the contribution of lift force was increased during the push phase.
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