ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to examine times and forces distributions through the different phases of the freestyle stroke cycle and the influence of the level of performance on these parameters. Nine males ranging from local to international level of performance swam 4×25m in freestyle at a common speed (1.6 m/s). From the digitizing side and front video views, kinematic parameters were used to calculate hand forces according to Schleihaufs method. The integrals of the lift-drag-resultant forces and projection of the resultant on the forward axis were expressed for the aquatic part of the stroke and 4 phases (P1 :arm-trunk angle 0°to30°, P2:30°to90°, P3:90°to135°, P4:135°to180°). Results indicated longer first phase and greater forces production for the final phase as mentioned in previous studies. Large individual variations were noted for all the studied parameters. Poor correlations were obtained between the forces-times distributions through the phases and the level of performance. For the studied speed, best swimmers differed only for the final phase, presenting shorter duration and higher forces.
