The Impact of Assisted Swimming on Front Crawl Performance

Background: In the present study, we aimed to clarify impact of Assisted swim (A-swim; towing from propulsion direction) on front crawl performance at maximum and sub-maximum effort levels. Methods: Fourteen male collegiate swimmers (age, 21.0 ± 2.0 years; height, 1.73 0.05 m; weight, 67.1 7.1 kg) participated. Participants swam 25-m maximal (Max) submaximal intensity (Submax (80% max stroke rate (SR))) with without an assist (assisted swimming a device normal (N-swim) device) for total four lengths. addition velocity (V), SR, length (SL), one cycle was broken down into phases—glide, pull, push, recovery—and analyzed duration each phase. Results: A significant interaction level efforts presence/absence confirmed in V, SL. V SL showed increase A-swim compared N-swim both Max Submax. SR significantly higher than only Max. Each phase difference recovery Submax push Conclusions: Despite considering towing, increased SL, N-swim.