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Table 3 Summary of study participants, demographic characteristics, trials performed, kinematic, kinetic and kinanthropometric analysis

From: The Relationship Between Undulatory Underwater Kick Performance Determinants and Underwater Velocity in Competitive Swimmers: A Systematic Review

References

Participants

Demographic characteristics (mean ± SD)

Trials performed

Kinematic analysis

Kinetic analysis

Kinanthropometric analysis

Alves et al. [6]

6 junior national swimmersa

17.0 ± 0.4 yrs

177.0 ± 3.6 cm

69.3 ± 6.0 kg

3 × 25 m max UUS from a block start in dorsal, prone and lateral positions

Two fixed underwater digital cameras (front and sagittal) with a frame rate of 50 Hz. Images from the 4th kick cycle were retained for 3D kinematic analysis

 

Active ankle and knee range of motion

Arellano et al. [33]

11 national swimmers (M)

19.9 ± 2.2 yrs

184.7 ± 5.8 cm

75.7 ± 8.7 kg

2 × 15 m max UUS with an underwater start in prone and dorsal positions

One underwater sagittal camera with a frame rate of 50 Hz

 

Active full body range of motion

Atkison et al. [10]

15 adult international and state swimmers (M)

21.5 ± 3.2 yrs

3 × 15 m max UUS from a push start in prone body position

One underwater sagittal camera with a frame rate of 30 Hz

 

Active full body range of motion

Connaboy et al. [34]

17 national swimmers (8 M, 9F)

Male swimmers: 17.6 ± 1.4 yrs

177.6 ± 5.3 cm

72.7 ± 7.9 kg

Female swimmers: 16.4 ± 0.8 yrs

164.9 ± 4.1 cm

53.8 ± 3 kg

3 × 15 m max UUS from a push start in prone body position

One underwater sagittal camera with a frame rate of 50 Hz

 

Active full body range of motion

de Jesus et al. [35]

4 international swimmers

22.8 ± 1.7 yrs

178.0 ± 6 cm

76 ± 8.9 kg

2 x (3 × 15 m) max UUS in dorsal body position

A cable velocimeter with a sampling rate of 50 Hz

 

Active lower body range of motion

Elipot et al. [14]

12 national swimmers (M)

183 ± 5 cm

76.1 ± 5.2 kg

3 × 15 m max UUS from a grab start in prone body position

Four underwater mini-DV camcorders with a frame rate of 25 Hz

  

Higgs et al. [15]

7 national swimmers (7 M, 3F)

21.1 ± 2.6

183.0 ± 8 cm

79.5 ± 10.1 kg

3 × 20 m max UUS from a push start in prone body position

One underwater sagittal camera with a frame rate of 100 Hz

 

Active lower body range of motion

Hochstein and Blickhan [7]

2 national swimmers (F)

Subject 1: 26 yrs

178.0 cm

73 kg

Subject 2: 24 yrs

167 cm

56.5 kg

15 m max UUS trials from a standing start in prone body position

Two underwater sagittal cameras (one on each side). One camera was used for motion capture and the other was used for flow capture

  

Hochstein and Blickhan [17]

4 national swimmers (F)

6 regional club swimmers (3 M, 3F)

22.1 ± 4.3 yrs

171.4 ± 5.9 cm

65.4 ± 9.4 kg

10 m max UUS trials from a standing start in the prone body position

One underwater sagittal camera with a frame rate of 125 Hz

 

Active full body range of motion

Hochstein et al. [44]

1 national swimmer (F)

NA

20 m max UUS trial from a standing start in the prone body position

One underwater sagittal camera with a frame rate of 250 Hz

2D Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)

Active full body range of motion

3D Body Scanner

Houel et al. [36]

12 national swimmersa

21.41 ± 4.5 yrs

183.33 ± 4.9 cm

75.8 ± 5.1 kg

10 m max UUS trials from a grab start in prone body position

Three underwater cameras (two in the sagittal plane, one recording a slanting view of the swimmer motion) with a frame rate of 50 Hz

3D kinematic analysis

  

Houel et al. [37]

10 national swimmersa

21.41 ± 4.5 yrs

183.33 ± 4.9 cm

75.8 ± 5.1 kg

10 m max UUS trials from a grab start in prone body position

Three underwater cameras (two in the sagittal plane, one recording a slanting view of the swimmer motion) with a frame rate of 25 Hz

3D kinematic analysis

  

Ikeda et al. [41]

9 swimmers (M)

FINA 766 ± 91.4

20.4 ± 1.67 yrs

174 ± 0.06 cm

69.5 ± 6.73 kg

3–5 × 15 m max UUS trials in prone body position

One underwater camera in the sagittal plane with a frame rate of 120 Hz and exposure time 1/500 s

 

Active full body range of motion

Jensen and McIlain [45]

2 international swimmers (1 M, 1F)

NA

 

One underwater sagittal camera with a frame rate of 48 Hz

Segmental size parameters were calculated and used with the mean densities by Clauser et al. (1969) to give the inertial parameters needed for kinetic analysis

Anthropometric measurements taken of the lower extremity of the swimmers were used to formulate a geometric representation of the segments

Lyttle et al. [42]

Study 1

40 national swimmers (M)

NA

Towed in a prone position 25 m at depths 0.6, 0.4 and 0.2 m underwater and at the surface. At each depth, swimmers were towed at 1.6 to 3.1 m s−1 in 0.3 m s−1 increments

One underwater sagittal camera. Frame rate not stated

A variable-control, motorised winch and pulley system to accurately and consistently maintain a set velocity

Unidirectional load cell (frame rate not provided)

 

Study 2

16 national swimmers (M)

Towed 25 m at a depth of 0.5 m underwater at velocities 1.6; 1.9; 2.2; 2.5 and 3.1 m s−1. At each velocity the swimmer performed maximal prone and lateral streamline glide, prone freestyle kick and, prone and lateral undulatory kick

Lyttle et al. [43]

16 national swimmers

19.3 ± 2.1 yrs

181 ± 5 cm

77.8 ± 6.2 kg

Towed 25 m at a depth of 0.5 m underwater at velocities 1.6; 1.9; 2.2; 2.5 and 3.1 m s−1. At each velocity the swimmer performed maximal prone and lateral streamline glide, prone freestyle kick and, prone and lateral undulatory kick

One underwater sagittal camera. Frame rate not stated

A variable-control, motorised winch and pulley system to accurately and consistently maintain a set velocity

Unidirectional load cell (frame rate not provided)

 

Miwa et al. [46]

1 national swimmer (M)

NA

5 × steady UUS in a swimming flume (1.0 m s−1)

One underwater sagittal camera with a frame rate of 15 Hz

Nylon tracer particles (50 μm) were admixed to the flume. A Nd:YAG laser was placed below the flume and illuminated the flow area in a sagittal plane

 

Shimojo et al. [47]

15 national swimmers (10 M, 5F)

22.1 ± 4.7 yrs

Task 1

10 × 10 m UUS trials from a push start in the prone body position at different kick frequencies using a target sound

Four underwater sagittal view cameras with a sampling frequency of 60 Hz

2D analysis

Target sounds at 75% (375–825 Hz) and 50% (450–750 Hz) kick frequency generated by underwater speakers

  

Task 2

10 × 10 m UUS trials from a push start in the prone body position with no target sound

Four underwater sagittal view cameras with a sampling frequency of 60 Hz

Shimojo et al. [16]

10 national swimmers (M)

21.3 ± 0.9 yrs

175.5 ± 5.4 cm

71.3 ± 4.8 kg

15 m maximal UUS from a push start in the prone body position at different kick frequencies determined by a programmed metronome sounds

Two underwater sagittal view cameras with a frame rate of 100 Hz

Six-level metronome sounds corresponding to the kick frequencies; 85, 90, 95, 105, 110 & 115%, generated by underwater speakers

  

Shimojo et al. [48]

1 national swimmer (M)

24 yrs

176 cm

81.0 kg

41 × 15 s steady UUS in a swimming flume in prone body position (0.8 m s−1) (12–20 UUS cycles)

18 underwater cameras with a frame rate of 120 Hz used to obtain 3D coordinate data

Two underwater cameras captured flow)

Microbubbles (50 μm) were used as tracer particles. A double-pulsed Nd:YAG laser was irradiated through the bottom of the flume to illuminate the flow area (wavelength 342 nm, maximum power P = 1 kW)

 

Shimojo et al. [38]

Experiment 1: Propelling efficiency assessment

Experiment 2: Kinematic assessment

Experiment 1

17 national swimmers (9 M, 8F)

Male swimmers: 19.7 ± 1.1 yrs

176 ± 4 cm

70.9 ± 8.5 kg

Female swimmers: 19.6 ± 0.8 yrs

161 ± 8 cm

55.7 ± 7.9 kg

2 × max UUS trials in prone body position (1 × with metronome device, 1 × with tape application aimed at restricting the swimmers ankle joints’ plantar flexors)

One underwater sagittal view camera with a frame rate of 60 Hz

A tempo of 80% kick frequency was set in a waterproof metronome device

 

The ankle joint was taped to restrict plantar flexion. The active and passive plantar ankle flexions were measured on land

Experiment 2

1 national swimmer (M)

20 yrs

171 cm

65.1 kg

2 × max UUS trials in prone body position (1 × with metronome device, 1 × with tape application aimed at restricting the swimmers ankle joints’ plantar flexors)

Six cameras around the swimmer with a frame rate of 120 Hz used to obtain 3D coordinate data

A tempo of 80% kick frequency was set in a waterproof metronome device

Wang and Liu [39]

10 international swimmersa

10 regional club swimmersa

Elite: 22 ± 2 yrs

171 ± 6 cm

72 ± 6 kg

Non-elite: 21 ± 1.8 yrs

171 ± 6 cm

65 ± 12 kg

3 × max UUS trials in prone body position

One sagittal view camera with a frame rate of 60 Hz

  

Willems et al. [24]

26 national swimmers (15 M, 11F)

16.4 ± 2.5 yrs

174 ± 9.6 cm

61.7 ± 9.6 kg

3 × 10 m max UUS trials from a push start in prone body position. Feet were taped to restrict ankle movement

Four underwater cameras (sagittal, rear and bottom view) with a frame rate of 300 Hz

2D kinematic analysis

 

Goniometric measurements were used to determine ankle flexibility

A hand held dynamometer measured ankle muscle strength

Yamakawa et al. [40]

8 national swimmers (F)

20.9 ± 1.9 yrs

163 ± 6 cm

54.9 ± 5.3 kg

15 m maximal UUS from a push start in the prone body position at different kick frequencies determined by a programmed metronome

Two underwater sagittal view cameras with a sampling frequency of 100 Hz

Six-level metronome sounds corresponding to the kick frequencies; 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110 & 115%

  

Yamakawa et al. [49]

8 national swimmers (M)

21.3 ± 0.7 yrs

173 ± 5 cm

70.3 ± 4.6 kg

3 × 25 m trials; undulatory swimming with a board, UUS and butterfly swimming. from a push start in prone body position

3 × trials; undulatory swimming with a board, UUS and butterfly swimming in a swimming flume at 80% velocity of 110%V. Participants executed 10 stroke cycles during each trial

Twenty above and underwater cameras

3D motion analysis

 

Active lower body range of motion

  1. aparticipant sex was not specified, yrs years, cm centimetres, kg kilogram, Hz hertz, 3D three-dimensional, M male, F female, max maximal, UUS undulatory underwater kick