ABSTRACT
The influence of speed on biomechanical parameters of swimming with paddles has rarely been studied. Seven skilled long and sprint distance swimmers were examined. Each subject performed 25 m front crawl swims with the same paddles (arena paddle—264 cm crosssectional area) at three different speeds. Electromyographic (EMG) parameters were recorded with a telemetric system for five muscles of the upper limb. Lateral subaquatic views were obtained simultaneously during all the tests. Results showed that there was a close relationship between the increase in speed and the decrease of the total time of the stroke. Electromyographic results indicated a non-linear relationship between muscular activity and swimming speed. The greatest muscular activity was not obtained for the highest speed.
