Characteristics of gliding swim and flutter kick motion for second and fourth-grade elementary school children

Abstract

This study aimed to provide a basis for the provision of appropriate guidance by clarifying the characteristics of development of gliding motions and flutter kicks as basic swimming techniques, involving second-（28）and fourth-（18）grade elementary school children. The experiment was conducted using a radio-camera for comprehensive underwater and water-surface recording（60 fps). Recorded gliding motions were classified into 3 patterns：Ⅰ（31）：kicking off the wall with both legs while maintaining both arms pointing forward；Ⅱ（14）：kicking off the wall with one leg while maintaining both arms pointing forward；and Ⅲ（1）：kicking off the wall with one leg while maintaining both arms pointing backward. Similarly, recorded flutter kicks were classified into 2 patterns：Ⅰ（43）：maintaining both arms pointing backward；and Ⅱ（3）：maintaining both arms pointing forward. The initial and mean velocities when adopting the streamline form were the highest in pattern Ⅲ, which was followed by Ⅱ and Ⅰ, in this order. In each pattern, the values were higher among fourth than second graders, suggesting that preparatory movements before and the streamline position after kicking had been mastered within the period between the second and fourth grades. On the other hand, regarding flutter kicks（pattern Ⅰ), there were no significant differences in the distance or mean velocity between second and fourth graders, or changes indicating improvements in these movements were not observed.