IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF HANDLE USE ON A NEW SWIMMING STARTING BLOCK

Authors

Kazumasa Ozeki, Osaka University of Health and Sport SciencesFollow
Shummei Ichikawa, Osaka University of Health and Sport SciencesFollow
Hiroshi Suito, Mie UniversityFollow
Shinji SAKURAI, Chukyo UniversityFollow

Category

Water Sports

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare kinematic variables between the handle start (using a starting block equipped with handles) and the kick start (without a handle) in male competitive swimmers and assess the immediate effects of adopting the handle start. Eight high school swimmers participated. Each participant performed two trials for each start type after two practice trials. Hand-release time, block time, 15-m time, attitude angles, and horizontal velocity were measured using two video cameras. Paired two-sample t-tests and effect size analyses were conducted to compare these variables. The 15-m time was significantly longer in the handle-start group (p = 0.03), with no differences in other variables. Handle starts without prior practice are not recommended.

Recommended Citation

Ozeki, Kazumasa; Ichikawa, Shummei; Suito, Hiroshi; and SAKURAI, Shinji (2025) "IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF HANDLE USE ON A NEW SWIMMING STARTING BLOCK," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 43: Iss. 1, Article 66.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol43/iss1/66