PURPOSE:To assess the effect of adding a dolphin kick to a breaststroke pullout.
METHODS:Eleven (20.9±2.3 yrs, 1.86±0.05 m, 79.6±5.5 kg) swimmers experienced with performing traditional and dolphin kick breaststroke pullouts participated in the study. Underwater video analysis was used to track whole body center of mass kinematics during a pullout. Time for the center of mass to travel distances ranging from 2.5-4 m from the initiation of the pullout were computed. Hand force data were derived from differential pressure measurements during the pulling phase of the pullout.
RESULTS:Use of a dolphin kick in a breaststroke pullout significantly (p=0.016) improved performance. Time for the center of mass to travel 4m after the initiation of the pull was reduced by 0.19 s. This performance improvement was not attributable to enhanced force production from the pull. Hand force was not significantly different between pullout techniques for the right hand (p=0.142) nor left hand (p=0.303). Total impulse produced by the pull was reduced by 3.6% (p=0.039, ES=0.34) when using the dolphin kick pullout.
CONCLUSIONS:These data suggest that the use of a dolphin kick during a breaststroke pullout provides a significant advantage over the traditional no-dolphin kick pullout. Furthermore, this advantage comes from enhanced propulsion from the kick but not the pull.
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Exactly what I *try* to do...a very slight pike to set it all up.
I start my dolphin kick smack in the middle of my pull so that it coincides with the finish of my pull. (am I alone in this?) I also allow my upper body to drop slightly (like going over a barrel)to set up a powerful kick. The feeling I get is that it increases propulsion and keeps me from coming to a complete stop as I raise my ankles to kick. This feeling is so strong that I would do it regardless of the results of the study.
Exactly what I *try* to do...a very slight pike to set it all up.
I start my dolphin kick smack in the middle of my pull so that it coincides with the finish of my pull. (am I alone in this?) I also allow my upper body to drop slightly (like going over a barrel)to set up a powerful kick. The feeling I get is that it increases propulsion and keeps me from coming to a complete stop as I raise my ankles to kick. This feeling is so strong that I would do it regardless of the results of the study.
