Abstract:

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of body composition, lower extremity lengths, and ankle joint range of motion on underwater dolphin kick performance. Nineteen male licensed swimmers voluntarily participated in the study. The dolphin kick kinematics were measured in a 25m short course pool using action camera. The kinematics of the start phase dolphin kick and turn phase dolphin kick were evaluated. The relationship between ankle range of motion and lower extremity lengths with dolphin kick performance was analyzed using Pearson Correlation test. In freestyle and backstroke swimming techniques, the start phase dolphin speed in freestyle and both start and turn phase dolphin speeds in backstroke were found to be correlated with the swimmer's body weight and body mass index (p<0.05). Moreover, in both swimming techniques, the 50m swimming speed was found to be correlated with the swimmer's height, body weight, and body mass index (p<0.05). The ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion angles showed no significant relationship with freestyle swimming, except for the association between right plantarflexion angle and turn phase dolphin speed (p>0.05). The kinematics of underwater dolphin kick during freestyle and backstroke swimming seem to be influenced by body weight and body mass index rather than extremity lengths. This suggests that for dolphin kick performance, muscle mass may be more influential than length. The lack of impact of ankle joint range of motion on this phase suggests that knee, hip, and trunk movements may be more effective during the dolphin kick. Particularly in short-distance swimming races where dolphin kick performance significantly affects swimming speed, parameters influencing this performance have not been fully elucidated, indicating the need for more detailed evaluations.