Programa de aprendizaje motor para mejorar el viraje de "crawl"

Abstract

Objective: to improve the total time invested in turning during the crawl stroke in swimming through a motor training program. Muscular pain can be avoided in athletes by preventing the incorrect execution of the turning maneuver. Material and methods: a random selection was made of 19 swimmers, age range 9 to 12 years, from a swimming club in the region of Murcia, Spain. They were assigned randomly to two groups: experimental (n = 10) and control (n = 9). A 2 * 2 experimental mixed factorial design was used which included the two groups, experimental and control, and two measurements, before and after the program. The motor training program used in the experimental group consisted of 12 sessions lasting 20 minutes each. Activities were carried out in and out of the water and included instruction, modeling, practice, feedback and positive reinforcement. The control group was not exposed to the independent variable (motor training program). Results:the results showed significant differences between the groups in the total time used in turning (p < 0.01). The experimental group used significantly less time than the control group for executing turns after the program. The size of the effect on total turning time was large (d = 1.342). Conclusions: in our study we evaluated the effectiveness of a motor training program for improving turning time during the crawl stroke in swimmers. Training was effective in reducing total time and partial times for the approach, turn and push-off. In order to generalize and conserve training, we feel that it should be incorporated into regular training and that refresher sessions should be scheduled. We hope that improved motor execution of turns will reduce the risk of injuries and that swimmers will experience less muscle pain during training and competition. Our study shows the importance of the collaboration of physical therapists, psychologists and trainers in planning athletic activities.