Objective To improve the underwater technique during the start phase of breaststroke swimmers through swimming flume training and assess its effectiveness in enhancing competitive performance.Methods The participants were 14 male swimmers in the short-distance Level 4 category from the Shanghai Swimming Team,and they were randomly divided into the experimental group(n=7)and control group(n=7).The experimental group underwent swimming flume start training,while the control group underwent regular pool start training,and both groups received the training twice a week for 16 weeks.Before and after the 16-week training,a 15-m breaststroke start test was conducted.Repeated measures analysis of variance and paired t-tests were used to compare the changes in kinematic parameters(time,speed,and entry angle)between and within groups.Results After 16 weeks of specialized training,the 15-m performance at the start for the experimental group and control group(F(1,12)=6.52,P＜0.05,η2=0.39)showed an interaction,with the experimental group performing better after training compared to the control group before training(P＜0.05).In the experimental group,the duration of the pull-out phase(F(1,12)=10.28,P＜0.01,η2=0.46)and the second sliding phase(F(1,12)=4.81,P＜0.05,η2=0.22)was improved;the distance of the pull-out phase(F(1,12)=4.71,P＜0.05,η2=0.21)and the second sliding phase(F(1,12)=4.90,P＜0.05,η2=0.21)was improved;the speed of the pull-out phase(F(1,12)=4.77,P＜0.05,72=0.20)was significantl improved.The within-group statistics showed that the experimental group significantly improved their exit speed(P＜0.05).The hand entry angle was optimized(P＜0.05),while changes in other joint angles were not significant.Conclusions Swimming flume training reduced the time spent in the pull-out and second gliding phases during the breaststroke start,effectively preventing the speed loss during underwater gliding.This provides an experimental evidence for enhancing start performance and optimizing training method for breaststroke swimmers.

Objective To improve the underwater technique during the start phase of breaststroke swimmers through swimming flume training and assess its effectiveness in enhancing competitive performance.Methods The participants were 14 male swimmers in the short-distance Level 4 category from the Shanghai Swimming Team,and they were randomly divided into the experimental group(n=7)and control group(n=7).The experimental group underwent swimming flume start training,while the control group underwent regular pool start training,and both groups received the training twice a week for 16 weeks.Before and after the 16-week training,a 15-m breaststroke start test was conducted.Repeated measures analysis of variance and paired t-tests were used to compare the changes in kinematic parameters(time,speed,and entry angle)between and within groups.Results After 16 weeks of specialized training,the 15-m performance at the start for the experimental group and control group(F(1,12)=6.52,P＜0.05,η2=0.39)showed an interaction,with the experimental group performing better after training compared to the control group before training(P＜0.05).In the experimental group,the duration of the pull-out phase(F(1,12)=10.28,P＜0.01,η2=0.46)and the second sliding phase(F(1,12)=4.81,P＜0.05,η2=0.22)was improved;the distance of the pull-out phase(F(1,12)=4.71,P＜0.05,η2=0.21)and the second sliding phase(F(1,12)=4.90,P＜0.05,η2=0.21)was improved;the speed of the pull-out phase(F(1,12)=4.77,P＜0.05,72=0.20)was significantl improved.The within-group statistics showed that the experimental group significantly improved their exit speed(P＜0.05).The hand entry angle was optimized(P＜0.05),while changes in other joint angles were not significant.Conclusions Swimming flume training reduced the time spent in the pull-out and second gliding phases during the breaststroke start,effectively preventing the speed loss during underwater gliding.This provides an experimental evidence for enhancing start performance and optimizing training method for breaststroke swimmers.