Increased use of hand paddles as a training device for competitive swimmers has led to a diversity of opinion regarding the value of such training. It has been claimed that hand paddles increase strength and improve stroke patterns, although at least one author (Anderson, 1976) questions the use of hand paddles for development of speed. Anderson suggests further that hand paddles may be of greater value to the beginner than the skilled swimmer. This study was done to determine arm pattern differences in varsity swimmers as they executed both the front crawl stroke and the back crawl stroke with and without hand paddles.
© Copyright 1979 Swimming III. Proceedings of the Third International Symposium of Biomechanics in Swimming, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. Published by University Park Press. All rights reserved.