The start is generally acknowledged to be an important element for success in competitive swimming, especially in the short events. Various techniques have been developed by coaches and swimmers and investigated by researchers to evaluate their efficiency. Parfionov (1959) and Torre (1976) recommended a starting technique in which the arms are swung forward from a hyperextended position. Studies by Nivandi (1963), Moverson (1964), and Maglischo (1969) reported that the best technique involved a full arm swing. More recently the grab, or grip, start has become increasingly popular, and a number of studies have shown it to be superior to others (Hanauer, 1967, 1972; Roffer and Nelson, 1972; Michaels, 1973; Van Slooten, 1975; Lowell, 1975). The latter two studies reported that some swimmers performed better using the conventional arm swing method. Finally, the use of a modified track start has been suggested by Fitzgerald (1973). No study has been reported in which all four of these starts have been compared. It is important that such a project be carried out, utilizing a reasonably large sample of highly skilled swimmers. The purposes of this study were: 1) to compare the efficiencies of these four swimming start techniques, and 2) to identify the key factors that affect starting performance.
© Copyright 1979 Swimming III. Proceedings of the Third International Symposium of Biomechanics in Swimming, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. Veröffentlicht von University Park Press. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.