Muscles used in Breaststroke
Arm Movement:
- pectoralis major -- starts movement
- latissimus dorsi
- paraspinal muscles -- brings swimmer's head and shoulders out of the water
- brachialis, brachioradialis -- elbow flexion
- biceps brachii -- elbow flexion and rotation (radioulnar joint supination)
- clavicular portion of pectoralis major and anterior deltoid -- flexion of the shoulder joint
- shoulder (pectoralis minor, rhomboid, levator scapula, middle and lower trapezius, and serratus anterior)
- core (transversus abdominis, rectus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, and erector spinae) -- important to link upper and lower extremity muscles
- gluteal musculature (gluteus maximus) and hamstrings (semitendinosus, semimembranosus, biceps femoris) -- extend hip
- rectus femoris and quadriceps -- extend knee
- adductor muscles (pectineus, adductor brevis, adductor longus, adductor magnus, gracilis) -- bring legs together
- calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) -- bring foot and ankle into pointed position
- rectus femoris and iliopsoas -- hip flexion
- hamstrings (semitendinosus, semimembranosus, biceps femoris) -- knee flexion
Image Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/03/sports/olympics/soni-first-repeat-winner-in-swimming-franklin.html?_r=0
Information Source: McLeod, I. (2010). Swimming Anatomy. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Information Source: McLeod, I. (2010). Swimming Anatomy. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.