It is generally agreed that the arms provide 70 to 85% of the total thrust in the crawl stroke (Faulkner, 1966; Armbruster, Alien, and Billingsley, 1973). Water resistance is proportional to the square of the velocity according to fluid mechanics. Therefore, the movement velocity of the hand in the water is an important factor in swimming fast. Since the hands are moved alternately in the crawl stroke, the stroke time is related to the movement velocity of the hand. This study consisted of three experiments. The first concerned the stroke time in the crawl in relation to age and performance (experiment 1). Stroke time is maintained by contraction of the arm and shoulder muscles. little data have been published on the strength of swimmers, and a definitive study on the strength requirements of swimming has not been made (Faulkner, 1966). The second experiment involved the relation between ann-pull strength and speed of swimming with arms alone (experiment 2). Thirdly, the oxygen requirement for swimming 25 m with arms alone was determined for four swimmers with different levels of muscular strength and swimming technique (experiment 3).
© Copyright 1975 Swimming II: Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Biomechanics in Swimming, Brussels, Belgium. Veröffentlicht von University Park Press. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.