Biomechanics of Swimming

Types of stroke

1. Freestyle stroke
2. Butterfly stroke
3. Backstroke
4. Breaststroke
5. Sidestroke

• Glide phase/Hand entry
• Pull through phase (closed kinematics)
• Recovery phase

Glide phase

It begins as right hand enters the water with the elbow held slightly higher than the hand.

Stabilize and rotates the scapula upward.

• Upper trapezius
• Rhomboids
• Serratus Anterior

Pull through

• Early Pull through

  It start from end of glide to max forward extension. Humerus approximately 90 degree flexion in front of body (humerus longitudinal to the long axis of the body).

  Muscle activity: Pectoralis major and Teres minor.

• Mid Pull through

  It is transition from early pull through to late pull through.

  Muscle activity: Serratus anterior, Pectoralis major and Latissimus dorsi.

• Late Pull through

  It is from 90 degree flexion to the time when the hand exists the water.

Muscle activity: Latissimus and Subscapularis.

Recovery Phase

It has shorter duration compared to pull through phase, because of no water resistance. Elbow slightly flexed and it exist before hand.

Muscle activity:Posterior & middle deltoid, Rhomboids, Upper trapezius and rotator cuff.

Torso rotates on longitudinal axis of the body.

Freestyle kick or flutter kick performed by legs continuously throughout freestyle stroke. It is divided into two beat kicks: Upward beats and downward beats. 2 Beat kicks includes one downward beat of each leg. two beat kicks occur per each arm stroke.

Primarily flutter kicks are done by hip flexors and extensors. there is less propulsion force from knee flexion and extension. Ankle plantar flexed and inverted throughout the kick.

There is lateral movements of legs during kicking because of body rolling.

1. Scott A. Heinlein.,Biomechanical Considerations in the Competitive Swimmer's Shoulder (2010).

Creator Details

Name	:	Deva senathipathi
Qualifications	:	Physiotherapist