BACKGROUND: Kick-start is a crucial determinant of performance in short-distance swimming, and the placement of the front and rear legs on the starting block may affect force application and take-off mechanics. However, there is no clear evidence as to whether the stronger leg should be positioned at the front or rear, particularly in junior competitive swimmers who are still developing stable technique. This study assessed the influence of stronger-leg placement on kick-start performance in junior competitive swimmers. METHODS: Thirty-six junior competitive swimmers (12 males and 24 females) performed four kick starts in random order, alternating between their preferred and reversed (non-preferred) front-to-rear foot configurations. Single-leg vertical jump height was used to determine stronger-leg. Marker-based two-dimensional motion analysis was used to quantify start parameters, including block time, horizontal take-off velocity, and 10-m time. For each stance condition, the trial with the fastest take-off velocity was selected for analysis. Paired t-tests were used to compare conditions. RESULTS: Preferred foot placement resulted in significantly shorter block times, faster 10-m times, and greater horizontal take-off velocity than the non-preferred stance (p < 0.05). Among the 12 swimmers who habitually placed their stronger leg at the rear, four (33%) performed better when adopting the reversed stance (stronger-leg-front), indicating individual variability. CONCLUSIONS: Stronger-leg placement at the front may improve kick-start performance among junior competitive swimmers. However, the presence of individuals who performed better with the reversed stance highlights the need for individualized assessment rather than uniform coaching recommendations.
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