COMPARISON BETWEEN KINEMATIC PARAMETERS AND FLOATING SKILL IN CHILDREN WITH DIFFERENT LEARNING LEVELS IN FRONT CRAWL SWIMMING

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare and correlate kinematic parameters and floating ability among children of different learning levels in the front crawl. 16 swimming children of both sexes, aged between eight and twelve years, participating in a school swimming project, were divided into two groups: beginner (G1) and intermediate (G2). Both groups were evaluated in a repetition of 10 m at maximum intensity in the front crawl, the time of the floating skill, the test of motor performance of the front crawl (TMPFC), stroke rate (SR), stroke length (SL), mean swimming speed (SS) and swimming index (SI). Data were obtained with a video camera (60 Hz - attached to a tripod on the side of the pool, above the water line), stopwatch and Kinovea software. Comparisons of variables between groups were performed and correlations were tested with an α of 5%. The findings of this study indicate that: children in the G2 group presented higher values ​​in the variables of body position, non-propulsive phase, propulsive phase, synchronization, TMPFC, SL, SS and, SI when compared to the values ​​of the G1 group. Furthermore, it was identified that between the TMPFC and the variables of body position, leg movement, non-propulsive phase, propulsive phase, synchronization, SL, SS and SI there is a high correlation. Based on the results presented, the higher the level of learning in the front crawl, the higher the values ​​of SL, SS and SI in children can be.