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.
I think there's a little gray area in that the kick might be considered to occur only when the legs start to go down. Remember there's wording in there about a "downward dolphin." The wording has been changed slightly, but there is still mention of this. So, if this is true, these swimmer might look to be doing an illegal kick, but if they start the downward portion of the kick to coincide with the arm pull then it might actually be legal.
Here's the FINA rule:
I was under the impression that there was some official USMS interpretation which makes it clear that you can't do the dolphin kick first. It doesn't appear to be in the USMS rule book, however.... If this is a close call, I'm not sure why any officials would be calling a DQ on it, given that the Olympians seem to be permitted to do it...
Here's the USMS Rule:
Kick—After the start and after each turn, a single butterfly (dolphin) kick, which must be followed by a breaststroke kick, is permitted during or at the completion of the first arm pull. Following which, all movements of the legs shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement. The feet must be turned outwards during the propulsive part of the kick. A scissors, flutter or downward butterfly (dolphin) kick is not permitted except as provided herein. Breaking the surface of the water with the feet is allowed unless followed by a downward butterfly (dolphin) kick.
I'd argue that if the kick and the commencement of the pull are pretty close to one another, it's hard to argue that the kick didn't occur during the pulldown. I really don't see why people should be DQ'd over this. I worry that the reason that people don't like this is because Kitajima does it, but he's not alone. Liesel Jones also clearly did it and I'm sure other non-Americans do it too. Why fight the progress of the stroke?
I think there's a little gray area in that the kick might be considered to occur only when the legs start to go down. Remember there's wording in there about a "downward dolphin." The wording has been changed slightly, but there is still mention of this. So, if this is true, these swimmer might look to be doing an illegal kick, but if they start the downward portion of the kick to coincide with the arm pull then it might actually be legal.
Here's the FINA rule:
I was under the impression that there was some official USMS interpretation which makes it clear that you can't do the dolphin kick first. It doesn't appear to be in the USMS rule book, however.... If this is a close call, I'm not sure why any officials would be calling a DQ on it, given that the Olympians seem to be permitted to do it...
Here's the USMS Rule:
Kick—After the start and after each turn, a single butterfly (dolphin) kick, which must be followed by a breaststroke kick, is permitted during or at the completion of the first arm pull. Following which, all movements of the legs shall be simultaneous and in the same horizontal plane without alternating movement. The feet must be turned outwards during the propulsive part of the kick. A scissors, flutter or downward butterfly (dolphin) kick is not permitted except as provided herein. Breaking the surface of the water with the feet is allowed unless followed by a downward butterfly (dolphin) kick.
I'd argue that if the kick and the commencement of the pull are pretty close to one another, it's hard to argue that the kick didn't occur during the pulldown. I really don't see why people should be DQ'd over this. I worry that the reason that people don't like this is because Kitajima does it, but he's not alone. Liesel Jones also clearly did it and I'm sure other non-Americans do it too. Why fight the progress of the stroke?
