Vol. 7, No 1, 2009 pp. 1 - 15
UDC 796.034-056.26
Original empirical article

IS SIGHT THE MAIN DETERRENT TO RACE PERFORMANCE IN VISUALLY IMPAIRED COMPETITIVE SWIMMERS?
Daniel Daly1, Laurie A. Malone2, Brendan Burkett3,
Tomas Gabrys4, Danguole Satkunskiene5
1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
2Lakeshore Foundation, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
3University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia
4Warsaw Academy of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland
5Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education, Kaunas, Lithuania
E-mail: dan.daly@faber.kuleuven.be

Abstract. A video race analysis was conducted at the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the 100-m freestyle event for three visually impaired classes (S11, S12, & S13) in both males and females. Supplementary information was available in small sub-samples for some physiological and biomechanical parameters. All visually impaired swimmers used race speed patterns similar to Olympic swimmers. These swimmers did not spend more race time starting or turning. The S11 class with greatest impairment swam slowest and was least competitive. Classes S12 and S13 did not differ in this respect. The race patterns of stroke rate and stroke length in visually impaired also matched those of Olympic swimmers although absolute stroke length values differed. Elite visually impaired swimmers achieve high post race lactate levels, and use arm coordination matching elite able-bodied swimmers. Aerobic capacity might, however, be low. Degree of visual impairment does not appear to be the main distinguishing factor of race performance.
Key words:  race analysis, freestyle, disability sport, paralympics, olympics

DA LI JE VID GLAVNI SPREČAVAJUĆI FAKTOR
KOD IZVOĐENJA TRKA TAKMIČARSKIH  PLIVAČA KOJI IMAJU OŠTEĆENJE VIDA
Analiza video trke je sprovedena u Sidneju 2000 na Olimpijskim i Paralimpijskim igarama na 100-metara slobodnog stila za tri klase koji imaju oštećenje vida (S11, S12 & S13) kod muškaraca i kod žena. Dodatne informacije su dostupne u malim pod-uzorcima za neke fiziološke i biomehaničke parametre. Svi plivači sa oštećenjem vida su koristili brzinske obrasce slične olimpijskim plivačima. Ovi plivači nisu trošili mnogo vremena na početku trke ili pri okretima. S11 klasa sa najvećim oštećenjima su plivali najsporije i bili su najmanje konkurentni. Klase S12 i S13 se nisu razlikovale. Obrasci trke brzine poteza i dužine poteza kod onih sa oštećenim vidom su takođe upoređivani sa Olimpijskim plivačima iako su vrednosti apsolutne dužine poteza bile različite. Elitni plivači sa oštećenjem vida su postigli visoke nivoe laktata posle trke, i koriste koordinaciju ruku koja odgovara elitnim plivačima sa jakim telima. Aerobički kapaciteti mogu, ipak biti niski. Stepen oštećenja vida izgleda da nije glavni faktor isticanja u performansama trka.
Ključne reči: analiza trka, slobodan stil, sportovi sa invaliditetom, paralimpičari, olimpijada