Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming XI

BiomechanicsandmedicineinswimmingXi
Figure 3. Pre-post comparison of the Flow State Scale results in the
Control subjects. Mean data are shown, grouped by FSS dimensions.
Dimensions in brackets indicate answers showing low reliability.
dIscussIon
The results showed effects due to the imagery training. The graph referring
to the pre-post training of the Experimental swimmers (Figure 2)
compared to the one related to the Control swimmers (Figure 3) evidence
the flow state variations after the Imagery training.
In particular, a significant relevance was found in the flow dimensions
D3 (clarity of targets) and D6 (sense of control). Imagery training
aided athletes in identifying a specific target in order to increase the
motivation in reaching it. A low or a lack of motivation leads to an excessive
relaxation often causing absence of energy and anxiety. Similarly,
the mental training could have improved the sense of control of the
Experimental subjects that allow them to better focus on their goals and
to manage their self-esteem.
The negative variations in the D7 (lack of ones self awareness) and
D9 (the autotelic experience) could be due to the fact that the specific
imagery training employed in this study would have forced the swimmers
to a voluntary execution of the technical movement illustrated
instead of to execute automatic actions. A peculiarity of automatic
movements is the lack of central control, with a high intensity of the
performances and a low level of conscious control (Logan, 1985).
Referring to the lack of the repeatability found in the answers related
to the dimension D5 (concentration on the task avoiding distractions)
of the FSS, it was hypothesized that young swimmers could have
difficulties in concentration and could be quite liable to disturbance.
In swimming performance no significant differences were found
between the Experimental subjects and the Control or between the
pre- and post- training in the intra-group comparisons. Even if the relative
short time period of imagery training (three weeks daily) would be
suitable to induce effects on the performance as a result of technical
and cinematic improvements, imagery training did not affect swimming
performance probably because flow and performance are not necessarily
proportional (Muzio et al, 1999). Moreover, the age of the subjects could
have relationships with the effects on imagery training.
conclusIon
In young swimmers, three weeks of imagery training focused on improving
three phases of a front crawl swim shows that some flow dimensions
vary in the flow state of subjects. Imagery training did not
have an effect on swimming performance (100m front crawl stroke). An
extended training over a longer period and with swimmers of different
ages is advised in order to complete the results of this study.
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