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7
1.2.2
Swimming Posture:
Flat Spine
For swimming, it is generally ideal to have a spine that is even flatter than
Neutral Spine. This is due to the fact that the body moves through the water
horizontally instead of vertically, and drag is a much more significant factor.
Like Neutral Spine, a Flat Spine positions all the major body parts in a line.
Additionally though, the lumbar and thoracic curves are flattened by tucking the
hips under and pushing the chest out. This brings the entire spine into
alignment.
In this position, a number of benefits are gained for swimming. In order to
flatten the lumbar spine, the hips must tilt posteriorly (butt tucks under), giving
a mechanical advantage to the muscles at the front of the hips that generate the
majority of the kick power in freestyle, butterfly and backstroke.
NEUTRAL SPINE POSTURE
MAJOR JOINTS ALIGNED -
SOME CURVATURE IN SPINE -
SMALL GAP BETWEEN BACK AND CORSUIT -
FLAT SPINE POSTURE
- MAJOR JOINTS ALIGNED
- BACK FLATTENED
- NO GAP BETWEEN BACK AND CORSUIT
