Using vertical force-velocity profiling to predict swim start performance
| dc.contributor.author | Phillips, Kieran | |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Klimstra, Marc D. | |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Agar-Newman, Dana | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-04-29T21:30:59Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-04-29T21:30:59Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.degree.department | School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education | |
| dc.degree.level | Master of Science MSc | |
| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between vertical force-velocity profiles (FVP) and swimming start performance. Twenty-four varsity-level swimmers (14 females and 10 males) with a mean age of 19.84 ± 1.50 years and body mass of 72.34 ± 7.39 kg were sampled from a varsity swimming program. Participants completed a FVP consisting of loaded squat jumps on force plates across four loads (female: 0.5 kg, 15 kg, 30 kg, 45 kg; male: 0.5 kg, 20 kg, 40 kg, 60 kg) and two maximal swimming starts during the same training week. Swim start performance was quantified using dive distance and time to 10 m. Multiple linear regression identified theoretical maximal force (F0) as a significant predictor of dive distance (β = 0.0212, R2 adjusted = 0.61, p <0.001) with no interaction effect being found for F0 and Sex. In contrast, none of the FVP variables significantly predicted time to 10 m, likely due to a high variability in underwater technique. This study highlights the importance of maximal strength for improving dive distance. However, for an athlete’s strength and power capacities to transfer to overall start performance, athletes must also dedicate time to practicing the start action itself. | |
| dc.description.scholarlevel | Graduate | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1828/22051 | |
| dc.language | English | eng |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.rights | Available to the World Wide Web | |
| dc.subject | Strength and conditioning | |
| dc.subject | Resistance training | |
| dc.subject | Power | |
| dc.title | Using vertical force-velocity profiling to predict swim start performance | |
| dc.type | Thesis |