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 the "it's hard to tell the difference between a kick and natural undulation" rationale for the rule change is an ex post facto justification for permitting something that was clearly illegal when we first noticed Kitajima doing it. And doing the dolphin kick at the initiation of the pull down is definitely the next step down the slippery slope. But we can certainly stop the slide at one kick, regardless of when it is done. If necessary, they should have a judge looking at an underwater camera at major competitions. At minor masters meets, nobody should get disqualified for this.
I enjoy doing the dolphin kick and don't want to revert to the "old" way (if you couldn't tell!).
The double dolphin is already happening. Check out the last turn in the men's A Final 100 *** from the UW v. Cal dual meet:
www.floswimming.org/.../77113
It's pretty obvious, even without Garrett calling it out. I don't know how the stroke & turn judge missed it.
I think the "it's hard to tell the difference between a kick and natural undulation" rationale for the rule change is an ex post facto justification for permitting something that was clearly illegal when we first noticed Kitajima doing it. And doing the dolphin kick at the initiation of the pull down is definitely the next step down the slippery slope. But we can certainly stop the slide at one kick, regardless of when it is done. If necessary, they should have a judge looking at an underwater camera at major competitions. At minor masters meets, nobody should get disqualified for this.
I enjoy doing the dolphin kick and don't want to revert to the "old" way (if you couldn't tell!).
The double dolphin is already happening. Check out the last turn in the men's A Final 100 *** from the UW v. Cal dual meet:
www.floswimming.org/.../77113
It's pretty obvious, even without Garrett calling it out. I don't know how the stroke & turn judge missed it.
