Author(s): COSKUN, E., CENGIZ, S., SAHIN, S., GÜNAY, E. , Institution: İSTANBUL GEDIK UNIVERSITY, Country: TURKEY, Abstract-ID: 1634

INTRODUCTION:
In swimming competitions, the start phase has a high impact on competitive performance. The postural, motor and biomechanical aspects of this phase, which have only been studied to a limited extent, especially in the backstroke, are critical for understanding start performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between kinematic parameters of the backstroke start performance of swimmers and dynamic balance, vertical jump and postural values.
METHODS:
Elite male (n=7) backstroke swimmers with a mean FINA score of 716 (±22.25) were included in the study. The study consisted of 4 sessions. In the first session, 2 sessions of start trials were performed to adaptation to the start platform where the start measurement would be performed. The data from the trials were used to optimize the placement of the start systems. In the second session, kinematic parameters related to start performance were evaluated and the swimmers performed three repetitions of the supine start using the supine start platform. The kinematic parameters of the start performance were recorded using stabilized GoPro10 Cam System and DACTRONICS HS-200 Start System and the images were analyzed using Kinovea 0.9.5 motion analysis program. In the third session, the dynamic balance (DB) performance was evaluated with the TecnoBody PK200 device and the vertical jump (VJ) measurements were evaluated with the Microgate Witty Wireless Training Timer. In the fourth session, a postural analysis of the athletes was performed using Apecs Posture Analysis Pro Plus 8.2.6 and the New York Posture Assessment (NYPA) method. The statistical analysis of the study was carried out using Pearson Correlation analysis with SPSS 25.0 package program.
RESULTS:
There was a significant negative correlation between supine hip height (HH) and NYPA scores (p=-0.790). Similarly, a significant negative correlation was found between NYPA scores and flight time (FT) (p=-0.792). A significant positive correlation was found between front hip angle (FPT) and water entry distance (ED) (p=0.805). However, no significant correlation was observed between start kinematic parameters and VJ, DB.
CONCLUSION:
In the supine ascent mechanics, the static posture HH was found to be an important parameter influencing the FT, and the degree of FPT was also found to be a value that strongly influenced the FT. Swimmers who have the advantage of postural adaptation required by the start performance show better start performance. There is no direct relationship between DB and VJ performance and start velocity (SV), vertical (VV) and horizontal velocity (HV), HH, FD, block time (BT), FT,ED, hand entry angle (HEA) kinematic parameters. We believe that the mechanical difficulty of the starting position highlights the contribution of postural factors more than motor factors.