Till Örebro universitet

The aim of the present study is to identify and characterize the structural differences and T-Patterns of body posture in technical and free solo routines of high-performance synchronized swimming. The study is observational, punctual, nomotetic and multidimensional. Data were registered using LINCE v.1.1. with a fiability intra- and inter-observer of 90% (Kappa index). The participants were 26 female swimmers (15 finalists in the World Championship 2011 and 11 analists from the Spanish Championship) and the sample are 19 routines of technical solo and 23 routines of free solo. A descriptive and an inferential analysis were performed, as well as a pattern analysis according to THEME 6 Edu. More T-patterns were detected in the technical solo routines than in the free solo. Results show that in 69,3% (± 5,7) of the routine’s time, swimmers are in apnea, and this percentage is higher in technical routines than in free routines (p<0,05). Significant diferences were also found in the body posture and levels of immersion between the two types of routines considered. In conclusion, results suggest that free solo and technical solo routines present significant differences in regard to the temporal structure and in the sequential patterns detected. The technical routines are characterized by longer apnea episodes, more elements in low immersion and more performances in inferior positions, and more T-patterns.