Effect of an 8-week technical tethered swimming program on front crawl kinematics in adolescent swimmers

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the effect of long-term use of technical tethered swimming on kinematics of crawl swimming, and sport performance. The experiment was attended by 19 girls (age 13.18 ± 0.66 years; body height 163.6 ± 5.2 cm; body weight 50.8 ± 4.42 kg; body fat 20.5% ± 2.0%) and 20 boys (age 13.33 ± 0.60 years; body height 167.8 ± 8.76 cm; body weight 52.46 ± 8.8 kg; body fat 14.1% ± 2.3%). The participants were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group received additional technical tethered swimming protocol. At this time, the control group performed standard technical training in free swimming. The study included an 8-week training cycle. Changes in swimming technique were assessed using a device equipped with a triaxial gyroscope and a triaxial accelerometer, with a particular focus on body roll and yaw movements of the athletes. Significant changes were observed in the variables describing yaw, and body roll movements. The study showed that a training protocol involving technical tethered swimming can positively affect front crawl kinematics in adolescent athletes when applied over the long term.