ABSTRACT
Mechanical and propelling efficiencies during swimming have been defined and calculated using the direct method of modified underwater force pads (MAD-system, Toussaint, 1988). The limitation of this approach is that the whole stroke cycle is not taken into consideration in the calculations of propelling and mechanical efficiencies. The purpose of this study was to calculate propelling and mechanical efficiencies by phases of the stroke using three-dimensional cinematography. The results indicate that by taking the whole stroke into consideration, propelling efficiencies might be less than previously reported data.
