Effects of Verbal Feedback on Movement Efficiency During Swimming Ergometry

Introduction. The aim of the study was to ascertain the physiological effects of verbal feedback on changes in the movement efficiency of a dry-land swimming ergometry task (butterfly stroke). Material and methods. The study involved 100 healthy and physically active males (1st year university students majoring in physical education) that were untrained in swimming (19.56 ± 1.32 years of age, 181.23 ± 4.35 cm in height, and 70.54 ± 8.6 kg in weight). The sample was randomised into two groups (control and experimental). In the first trial, both groups executed the butterfly stroke on a Weba Sport swim ergometer with no augmented feedback. In a second trial, the experimental group was provided with verbal cues relating kinesthetic information on task execution. Trial duration was 10 min, with the first 5 min devoted to the swimming task and the remaining 5 min serving as a cool-down. Variables under consideration included physiological cost, rate of recovery, heart rate recovery, estimated recovery time, and work output. Results. No improvement in the variables related to the physiological cost was observed in the verbal feedback condition although a significant increase in work output was observed in the experimental group (p < 0.05). Conclusions. An improvement in work output without modulating the physiological cost of work suggests that appropriately prepared verbal cues may enhance performance in a swimming ergometry task.