Effects of Low-Intensity Technical Tethered Swimming on Front Crawl Kinematics in Adolescent Swimmers

NCT07554248 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: SKE 01-31/2023
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 32
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluated the acute effects of two low-intensity front crawl training conditions on swimming kinematics in adolescent swimmers. After a standardized warm-up, participants performed either low-intensity tethered front crawl or low-intensity free-swimming front crawl. Kinematic measurements were obtained immediately after task completion using an accelerometer. One week later, the final exercise condition was rotated between groups so that both groups completed both training conditions.

Conditions

Front Crawl Technique; Swimming Kinematics; Swimming Technique

Keywords

tethered swimming; front crawl; swimming kinematics; adolescent swimmers; accelerometer; swimming technique

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Front Crawl Kinematic Variables Measured by Accelerometer

  ront crawl kinematic variables were assessed with an accelerometer during each 50 m front crawl trial performed after the assigned exercise condition. Variables included body roll (maximum angular velocity around the vertical axis \[ωmaxR\] and maximum pelvic tilt angle around the vertical axis \[AmaxR\]), yaw rotation (maximum angular velocity around the sagittal axis \[ωmaxY\] and acceleration along the transverse axis \[atmax\]), pitch rotation (maximum angular velocity around the transverse axis \[ωmaxP\] and acceleration along the sagittal axis \[asmax\]), and progressive movement (maximum acceleration along the vertical axis \[avmax\]).

  Baseline and 1 week

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Time to Achieve 50 m

  Baseline and 1 week

• Stroke Length

  Baseline and 1 week

Study Arms (2)

Sequence A

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants completed low-intensity tethered front crawl in the first session and low-intensity free front crawl in the second session, one week later.

Behavioral: Low-Intensity Tethered Front Crawl Swimming; Behavioral: Low-Intensity Free Front Crawl Swimming

Sequence B

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants completed low-intensity free front crawl in the first session and low-intensity tethered front crawl in the second session, one week later.

Behavioral: Low-Intensity Tethered Front Crawl Swimming; Behavioral: Low-Intensity Free Front Crawl Swimming

Interventions

Low-Intensity Tethered Front Crawl Swimming BEHAVIORAL

Participants performed 6 × 10 cycles of low-intensity front crawl while tethered, with 10-second rest intervals between sets. During the exercise, participants were instructed to focus on stroke length and correct body position in the water.

Sequence A; Sequence B

Low-Intensity Free Front Crawl Swimming BEHAVIORAL

Participants performed 6 × 50 m of low-intensity front crawl, starting every 60 seconds. During the exercise, participants were instructed to focus on stroke length and correct body position in the water.

Sequence A; Sequence B

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 12 Years - 14 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Competitive adolescent swimmers from a local sports club
• Regular swimming training history since approximately 9-10 years of age
• Current training frequency of approximately 7-8 sessions per week
• Regular participation in national-level swimming competitions
• At least 2 years of regular swimming training experience
• Ability to complete the study procedures, including low-intensity front crawl conditions and accelerometer-based measurement

You may not qualify if:

• Current injury or musculoskeletal condition preventing participation
• Failure to meet the required age criteria
• Less than 2 years of regular swimming training experience
• Inability to complete the study procedures

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education: lead

Study Sites (1)

Swimming Pool at Koncertowa 4

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, 02-785, Poland

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants completed two low-intensity front crawl conditions in a crossover design. After a standardized warm-up, Group A performed tethered front crawl and Group B performed free-swimming front crawl. One week later, the final exercise condition was rotated between groups so that both groups completed both intervention conditions.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 17, 2026
• First Posted: April 28, 2026
• Study Start: June 14, 2024
• Primary Completion: June 21, 2024
• Study Completion: June 21, 2024
• Last Updated: April 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PL (1)