{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,14]],"date-time":"2026-07-14T22:25:59Z","timestamp":1784067959033,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":40,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,2]],"date-time":"2025-10-02T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1759363200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JFMK"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Objective: This study aimed to experimentally investigate the biomechanical and performance differences between the grab start (GS) and the kick start (KS) with each leg on the kickplate (KSR, KSL) in Bi-Finswimming (BFS). It focused on the effect of foot placement on the starting block, equipped with an adjustable, inclined rear kickplate (Omega, OSB11), to determine potential performance advantages and contribute evidence-based recommendations for optimizing start techniques in competitive BFS. Methods: Thirteen national-level finswimmers (seven males, six females; age: 17.7 \u00b1 2.1 years) voluntarily participated. Each athlete performed two trials of three start techniques (GS, KSR, KSL) over three days in a randomized order. Four synchronized cameras recorded video data. Performance metrics (time to 5 m (T5), 15 m (T15), 25 m (T25), reaction time, block time (BT), flight time (FT), and entry characteristics) along with joint angles (hip, knee, ankle), were analyzed using Kinovea software (v. 2024.1). A two-way repeated measures ANOVA (start type \u00d7 gender) was conducted to analyze performance metrics, and a paired-sample t-test assessed differences in joint angles. Also, correlations between dependent (type of start) and independent variables (start-examined variables) were examined through bivariate Pearson\u2019s r analysis. Results: No significant gender differences were found (p &gt; 0.05). Significant differences emerged between the starting techniques, with KS showing faster T5, T15, and T25 (p &lt; 0.001, \u03b72p = 0.6; p &lt; 0.001, \u03b72p = 0.5; p &lt; 0.05, \u03b72p = 0.3, respectively). BT was significantly longer in GS compared to KS (p &lt; 0.001, \u03b72p = 0.8), while FT was shorter in GS (p = 0.002, \u03b72p = 0.4). Faster T5, T15, and T25 were associated with increased flight distance and longer FT in KSL. Conclusions: The kick start generally outperforms the grab start, especially in block time, in Bi-Finswimming. These preliminary results suggest that it could be considered for future discussion regarding potential legalization by the World Underwater Federation, pending further research.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jfmk10040384","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,2]],"date-time":"2025-10-02T15:07:48Z","timestamp":1759417668000},"page":"384","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Kinematic Comparison of Different Types of Start Technique in Bi-Finswimming"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"10","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-7104-8760","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Gregory","family":"Kalaitzoglidis","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Physical Education and Sport Science at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0059-2873","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Konstantinos","family":"Papadimitriou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5845-0416","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ioannis","family":"Kostoulas","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Physical & Cultural Education, Hellenic Army Academy, 16673 Athens, Greece"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Anastasios","family":"Papadopoulos","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Komotini, Greece"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3912-9082","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"George","family":"Tsalis","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Physical Education and Sport Science at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,2]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"CMAS (2025, July 18). 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