What kind of goal touch is effective in the butterfly?

Abstract

    In this study, we classified the kinds of goal touch in the butterfly as body undulation and the number of dolphin kicks. Then, we quantified the kinds of goal touch and examined the effectiveness. Participants consisted of ten male, well-trained college swimmers who were monitored with an underwater camera. The goal touch of butterfly was classified into six types, which were then quantified. The results indicated that at the goal touch there was no significant difference in velocity between body undulation and the number of dolphin kicks. However, two types of goal touch had a significant positive correlation: the percentage of stroke length for distance to the goal touch and the percentage of swim velocity for velocity at the goal touch. On the basis of these results, we believe that for an ideal goal touch, the distance must be adjusted on the last moments before the goal touch.