Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
ISSN: 1303 - 2968   
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©Journal of Sports Science and Medicine ( 2025 )  24 ,  801  -  812   DOI: https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2025.801

Research article
Coordination Patterns of The Swimming Start: A Comparative Study Between Elite and Sub-Elite Swimmers
Yi Lin1, Shudong Li1, , Luqi Yang1, Zhanyi Zhou1, Julien S. Baker2, Yaodong Gu1, 
Author Information
1 Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
2 Department of Sport and Physical Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China

Shudong Li
✉ Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
Email: lishudong@outlook.com

Yaodong Gu
✉ Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
Email: guyaodong@nbu.edu.cn
Publish Date
Received: 09-08-2023
Accepted: 12-09-2025
Published (online): 01-12-2025
Narrated in English
 
 
ABSTRACT

This study investigated upper-lower body coordination during the swimming start. Coupling angle mapping was applied to assess segmental dominance, coupling angle, and coupling angle variability across four dive-start phases in elite and sub-elite swimmers. Data were collected from twenty swimmers (ten elite and ten sub-elite), based on their three fastest maximal-effort dive starts. The continuous entry movement from air to water was captured in detail using a high-speed multi-camera system positioned above and below the water. Results demonstrated that coordination patterns varied across the four phases, with high similarity when the thigh dominated, such as during the flight phase. Notably, coordination during the on-block phase differed significantly prior to hand-off. Elite swimmers exhibited greater trunk dominance in the entry phase, facilitating a more horizontal dive-in, whereas sub-elite swimmers showed trunk dominance later, during the transition phase. In conclusion, the time required to reach a specific distance or phase does not necessarily indicate superior start performance. Swimmers must balance drag minimization during the dive-in trajectory with rapid entry to initiate stroking. All swimmers maintained a streamlined posture and predominantly employed thigh-dominant strategies, while variations in trunk-dominant coordination were observed during entry and transition phases. Occasional high coupling angle variability in elite swimmers may reflect individualized coordination strategies. These findings highlight the importance of individualised training to optimize start performance.

Key words: Coordination pattern, Biomechanics, Swimming start, Coupling angle mapping, Segmental dominance


           Key Points
  • Thigh-dominant coordination governs most dive-in phases, while trunk-dominant patterns appear in the on-block, entry, and transition phases and are linked to higher coordination variability.
  • Elite swimmers tend to adopt a trunk-dominant pattern during the entry phase, enabling a more horizontal forward dive-in, whereas sub-elites shift trunk dominance to the transition phase.
  • Individualized coordination strategies highlight the need for tailored training programs that balance drag reduction with rapid entry, especially for elite swimmers.
 
 
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