Differences in spatial-temporal parameters and arm–leg coordination in butterfly stroke as a function of race pace, skill and gender

Spatial-temporal parameters (velocity, stroke rate, stroke length) and arm–leg coordination in the butterfly stroke were studied as a function of race pace, skill (due to technical level, age, and experience) and gender. Forty swimmers (ten elite men, ten elite women, ten less-skilled men, and ten less-skilled women) performed the butterfly stroke at four velocities corresponding to the appropriate paces for the 400-m, 200-m, 100-m, and 50-m, respectively. Arm and leg stroke phases were identified by video analysis and used to calculate four time gaps (T1: the time difference between the start of the arms’ catch phase and the start of the legs’ downward phase of the first leg kick; T2: the time difference between the start of the arms’ pull phase and the start of the legs’ upward phase of the first leg kick; T3: the time difference between the start of the arms’ push phase and the start of the legs’ downward phase of the second leg kick; and T4: the time difference between the start of the arms’ recovery and the start of the legs’ upward phase of the second leg kick) and the total time gap (TTG), i.e., the sum of the four discrete time gaps. These values described the changing coupling of arm to leg actions over an entire stroke cycle. A significant race pace effect indicated that the synchronization between the key motor points of the arms and legs, which determine the starts and ends of the arm and leg stroke phases, increased with pace for all participants. A significant skill effect indicated that the elite swimmers had greater velocity, stroke length, and stroke rate and stronger synchronization of the arm and leg stroke phases than the less-skilled swimmers, due to smaller T2 and T3 and greater T1. A significant gender effect revealed greater velocity and stroke length for the men, and smaller T1 for the less-skilled women. These time gap differences between skill levels were related to the capacity of elite swimmers to assume a more streamlined position of trunk, head and upper limbs during leg actions, adopt a shorter glide and higher stroke rate to overcome great forward resistance, and generate higher forces and use better technique during the arm pull. Thus, coaches are advised to begin monitoring arm–leg coordination earlier in swimmers’ careers to ensure that they attain their highest possible skill levels.