Degree
Master of Science
Program
Kinesiology
Supervisor
Dr. James Dickey
2nd Supervisor
Prof. Dave Humphreys
Joint Supervisor
Abstract
The performance implications of changing rear foot joint angles in the kick start were evaluated using a replicated version of the Omega OSB11 starting block. Maximal effort dives were collected for twenty-six competitive swimmers. The block was equipped with two tri-axial force plates to differentiate between forces applied to the rear foot rest and forces applied to the block. Two high-speed video cameras recorded hind-foot eversion and dorsiflexion angles. Competitive swimmers with larger hind-foot eversion movement have larger lateral kick plate forces, longer kick plate times, and larger contributions of the kick plate to total impulse. These swimmers also have larger dorsiflexion movements. Improved start performance (defined by faster predicted time to two meters and higher normalized power) is associated with applying high normalized peak posterior kick plate force as quickly as possible while using the front leg as the dominant contributor to total impulse.
Recommended Citation
Hutchinson, Amber C., "Performance Implications Of Rear Foot Movement In The Swimming Kick Start" (2014). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 2279.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/2279