Performance Level Differences in Swimming: A Meta-Analysis of Resistive Forces

 Rod Havriluk, Ph.D.

Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 2005, 76(2), 112-118.

The streamline is the most basic position in competitive swimming and has been used in many studies on resistive forces. However, there is a wide variety of theoretical interpretations in these articles, leading to diverse and questionable conclusions. The purpose of this study was to determine performance level differences in the streamline position using a meta-analysis. Data on 48 sample units from 19 studies on passive drag in swimming were organized by performance level (non-elite and elite) and gender with the coefficient of drag (C_d) as the criterion variable. The elite group had a significantly smaller C_d, F(1,44) = 19.0, p<.001, and therefore, a more effective streamline position. This study supports: 1) the use of C_d as an appropriate means to discriminate between performance levels in swimming; 2) the importance of mastering the most basic skill in competitive swimming; and 3) the need for considering all the related variables in a study of passive drag.