| Knowing what amount of tuck, as measured by tuck index, produces the highest impulse values during the push-off, along with push off phase duration and distance traveled by the center of mass during the push off phase of a squat jump, will help to optimize flip turn and overall swim performance. The purpose of this study was to determine how to optimize flip turn performance and thus overall swim performance through manipulating the amount of tuck during the push off phase of a squat jump, a task mechanically similar to the push off phase of flip turns. 28 subjects (8 male, 20 female) volunteered for this study. There were no significant differences in the impulse produced across conditions. Analysis of push off impulse duration revealed that the least tucked position produced the shortest impulse duration, with all other conditions being significantly longer. Center of mass excursion revealed the same trend, with the least tucked position produced the shortest impulse duration, with all other conditions being significantly longer. Center of mass excursion revealed the same trend, with the least tucked position necessitating the least center of mass travel and all other conditions necessitating significantly more. |
