The study aims to determine the contribution of kinematic parameters to time to 5 m without underwater undulating and kicking. Eighteen male competitive swimmers started from three weighted positions and set the kick plate to positions 1–5. We used SwimPro cameras and the Dartfish© software. In the on-block phase, we found significant correlations (p < 0.01) between the front ankle angle and block time. The correlations between start phases were statistically significant (p < 0.01) between block time and rear ankle angle, respectively, to time to 2 m; rear knee angle and glide time; block time and time to 5 m; time to 2 m and time to 5 m; and flight distance and glide distance. The multiple regression analysis showed that the on-block phase and flight phase parameters, respectively, contributed 64% and 65% to the time to 5 m. The key block phase parameters included block time and rear knee angle. The key flight phase parameters determining time to 5 m included take-off angle and time to 2 m. The key parameters determining the performance to 5 m during the above-water phase include rear knee angle, block time, takeoff angle, and time to 2 m.

Scientific evidence shows that breathing or aerobic programs can improve the quality of life of asthma patients. The aim of this work was to find out the influences of breathing exercises and breathing exercises combined with aerobic exercise on changes in spirometry parameters in patients with bronchial asthma. Participants: The group consisted of 33 women with bronchial asthma—mild to moderate persistent levels of FEV1 reduction (80–50%)—with a mean age of 34.73 ± 1.53 years. They were randomly assigned to experimental group 1 (EX1), experimental group 2 (EX2) or the control group (CG). Materials and methods: Changes in spirometry parameters were evaluated over a 16-week period in the three groups: CG (placebo), EX1 (breathing exercises) and EX 2 (combination of breathing exercises with an aerobic program). To evaluate the pre-training and post-training diagnostics, we used MIR Spirobank II. The influences of the experimental and control factors were assessed using the following dependent variables: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), Tiffeneau–Pinelli index (FEV1/FVC ratio), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced mid-expiratory flow (FEF25–75%). We used the Wilcoxon t-test and the Kruskal–Wallis test to evaluate the differences in the measured parameters. To examine the effect of our protocols, we used effect size (ES). Results: In CG we observed improvements in: FVC—(5%; p < 0.05; ES = 0.437). FEV1—(7.33%; p < 0.01; ES = 0.585). FEV1/FVC ratio (5.27%; p < 0.01; ES = 0.570). PEF (11.22%; p < 0.01; ES = 0.448). FEF25–75% (7.02%; p < 0.01; ES = 0.628). In EX1 we observed improvements in: FVC (5.23%; p < 0.01; ES = 0.631), FEV1 (20.67%; p < 0.01; ES = 0.627), FEV1/FVC ratio (16.06%; p < 0.01; ES = 0.628), PEF (13.35%; p < 0.01; ES = 0.627) and FEF25–75% (13.75%; p < 0.01; ES = 0.607). In EX2 we observed improvements in: FVC (9.12%; p < 0.01; ES = 0.627), FEV1 (27.37%; p < 0.01; ES = 0.626), FEV1/FVC ratio (15.32%; p < 0.01; ES = 0.610), PEF (30.66%; p < 0.01; ES = 0.626) and FEF25–75% (58.99%; p < 0.01; ES = 0.626). Significant differences compared to the control group were observed in EX1 for FEV1 (p < 0.05) and FEV1/FVC ratio (p < 0.01); and in EX2 for FEV1 (p < 0.05), FEV1/FVC ratio (p < 0.01), PEF (p < 0.05) and FEF (p < 0.05). A significant difference between EX1 and EX2 was observed in PEF (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It appears to be that combination of breathing exercises with aerobic activities is a more beneficial option for patients with bronchial asthma.

Introduction: Start performance in swimming plays a major role in determining the final standings, especially in sprint races. The purpose of the study was to determine kinematic parameters underlying the kick start from OSB12 in terms of the kick plate position and shoulder positioning at the start. Material and methods: The sample included 8 non-randomly recruited performance-level swimmers whose average age, body height, and body weight was 17.4 ± 1.8 years, 182.2 ± 3.4 cm and 81.00 ± 3.9 kg, respectively. To measure the kinematic parameters, we used the SwimPro camera system. The parameter rs measured included angular parameters and kinematic parameters for each of the start phases: block phase, flight phase, and water phase. We processed the collected biomechanical data using the Statistica 12.0 software. To determine significant differences between the kick plate positions in three types of start, we applied the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: We found significant differences (p<0.05) in the selected kinematic parameters in all phases, which depended on the OSB12 kick plate position and basic starting position (front-, neutral-, and rear-weighted). The greatest differences in the parameters measured were found between the front-weighted start and rear-weighted start. We may conclude that performance-level swimmers should adjust the rear kick plate to positions 3 and 4 and assume the following starting position: front knee angle between 131° and 133°, rear knee angle around 80°, and trunk angle between 40° and 41°. This starting position affects the flight phase, namely takeoff angle (40⁰-41⁰), head position at takeoff (1.33-1.38 m), flight time and distance (0.346-0.368 s; 2.74-2.79 m), entry angle (38⁰). The starting position also affects the glide phase, namely the glide time and distance (0.532-0.536 s; 2.22-2.26 m) and maximum depth (-0.91-0.92 m). Conclusions: The results of the study show that swimmers produced shorter times to 5 meters and higher velocity at 5 meters compared with other starting positions and OSB12 kick plate positions.

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in starting and kick-plate positions, pointing to an effect on kick-start performance with the dominant and non-dominant feet placed on the front edge of the OSB12 starting block. The sample included 20 female competitive swimmers whose average age was 16.1 ± 0.6 years. To assess swimmers’ lower body explosive strength and determine leg dominance, a triple hop distance test was administered. We determined the swimmers’ preferred starting position on a starting block in terms of the kick-plate setting and body position on the starting block. The results of our study demonstrate the importance of leg dominance and positioning on the OSB12 starting block. After the preferred starting position was determined, the optimal position for the kick start was selected. When the dominant leg was placed on the front edge of the starting block (p < 0.05; Cohen’s d—large effect), swimmers produced shorter block times and times to 2 and 5 m. For most of the tested swimmers, the optimal basic position on the starting block included neutral- and rear-weighted positions with the kick plate set to positions 3–4 and the right leg placed on the front edge of the OSB12 starting block.

Background: The basic position on the starting block can influence the performance at the start, as it is the initial phase on which the other phases depend, as well as the swimming performance in sprint events in all swimming styles. The aim of our study is to analyze the effect of the foot in the base position on the block start on performance in the 5 m distance start. Material and Methods: Fifteen performance swimmers aged 17 ± 2 years were tested in their preferred wide and narrow starting positions, performing a total of six starts during which angular, temporal, and length changes were monitored in block, flight, and underwater phases. Fisher individual tests for differences of means were used to determine differences in kinematic parameters of the kick start to the 5 m distance. Differences in the position of the feet in kinematic parameters of the kick start to the 5 m distance were determined using the two-sample t-test with equal variance and effect size by Cohen’s d. Results: Swimmers were found to have significant differences (p < 0.05) between foot widths in block time (0.02 s), time to 2 m (0.05 s), flight and glide time and distance, maximal depth, and time to 5 m (0.08) in favor of the narrow baseline position. Conclusions: We recommend marking the center of the start block on the OSB or OSB platform for the competitors, as well as the center of the backrest, for better orientation and assuming the correct basic foot position on the start block.

Background: Objective evaluation of the swimming start is crucial for sprint performance improvement. Traditional visual assessment of its phases—reaction, take-off, flight, and underwater glide—lacks precision. This study addresses the need for more integrated and accessible biomechanical tools by validating IQ LAB software (Version 250319), which is embedded in the SwimPro system and enables immediate video-based motion analysis without external processing. Existing tools like Dartfish (ProSuite 4.0) require separate video handling and licensing, whereas IQ LAB offers a built-in, streamlined solution suitable for applied environments. Methods: We evaluated the concurrent validity of the IQ LAB software, a desktop 2D motion analysis tool, using Dartfish (ProSuite 4.0) as the gold standard. The reliability was assessed using intrarater temporal stability and interrater agreement, considering selected kinematic parameters related to the swimming kick start (to 5 m). A sample of 13 competitive male swimmers (age 17.2 ± 1.1 years) was analyzed across two sessions. Concurrent validity was assessed by comparing IQ LAB outputs to those from Dartfish software in the sagittal plane. Intrarater reliability was measured using a test–retest design across two sessions spaced 7 days apart. Interrater reliability involved two independent raters analyzing the same video data using IQ LAB. Results: IQ LAB and Dartfish kinematic parameters demonstrated strong agreement (Pearson r ≥ 0.95), with no significant systematic differences. The intrarater and interrater reliability were excellent (ICC ≥ 0.94, 95% CI included). The test–retest reliability of the selected parameters across seasons also showed excellent reproducibility (ICC ≥ 0.93). Conclusions: IQ LAB software provides a valid and reliable 2D kinematic assessment of the swimming kick start, offering a practical and accessible tool for coaches and researchers. This study introduces a novel validated software solution for biomechanical analysis in swimming starts.