Luc Collard
Luc Collard is a French academic and researcher in the field of Physical education, Sports science, and Motor praxeology. He is a Professor of Exceptional Class at Paris University. He is known for his pioneering contributions to the study of swimming techniques, particularly his advocacy for the development of a "fifth stroke" in competitive swimming, known as underwater oscillation or undulation swimming.[1][2]
Luc Collard | |
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| Born | France |
| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | Professor, researcher |
| Employer | Paris University |
| Known for | Fifth stroke swimming technique, motor praxeology |
| Awards | First Thesis Prize, Sorbonne (1997) |
Academic background and career
Collard began his career as a teacher of Physical education and Sports, earning his CAPEPS certification in 1988 and the aggregation in 1991. In 1997, he completed a thesis on risk-taking in sports games, awarded the First Thesis Prize at the Sorbonne, Paris.[3]
Collard's work in experimental game theory established the educational value of risky sports, which later informed his studies on swimming tactics. He became a prominent advocate for the integration of innovative approaches into sports education and competition.[4][5]
Research
Collard is best known for developing the "fifth stroke," an underwater swimming technique based on full-body undulation, inspired by aquatic animals for greater speed and efficiency. He argues it is as natural for humans as traditional strokes.[6]
In 2019, he launched the first fifth-stroke competitions under the French Federation of University Sports (FFSU), following FINA rules, aiming for official recognition of the technique.[7]
Collard's interdisciplinary research treats swimming as both a physical skill and social construct. Drawing on Evolutionary biology and Game theory, he explores underwater propulsion and strategic swimming, emphasizing that swimming techniques are shaped by culture and open to innovation.[8] [9][10][11]
Selected publications
- La cinquième nage. Natation & Théorie de l’évolution (2009)
- The Fifth Stroke: Explorez une nouvelle dimension! (2018)
- Nager en apnée (2020)
- The Aquatic Ape (2022)
References
- ↑ "La cinquième nage : natation et théorie de l'évolution - Luc Collard - Librairie Mollat Bordeaux". Mollat.
- ↑ "Luc Collard". www.adverbum.fr (in français).
- ↑ Collard, Luc (2020). Nager en apnée. Budo Editions. ISBN 2364031907.
- ↑ "5ème Nage - CROS Île-de-France". crosif.fr (in français). 2 July 2019.
- ↑ Collard, Luc (2022). The Aquatic Ape. Independently Published. ISBN 9781447842705.
- ↑ Collard, Luc; Gourmelin, Eric; Schwob, Valérie (2013). "The Fifth Stroke: The effect of learning the dolphin-kick technique on swimming speed in 22 novice swimmers" (PDF). Journal of Swimming Research. 21. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ↑ "Luc Collard – Researcher Profile". Frontiers. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ↑ Collard, Luc; Palicot, Jean (2013). "Do dangerous sports specialists play more dangerously? An experimental study on sample selection". Journal of Risk Research. 16 (1): 39–50. doi:10.1080/13669877.2012.695872.
- ↑ "Luc Collard – Editions Amphora". ed-amphora.fr (in français).
- ↑ Collard, Luc (2009). La cinquième nage. Natation & Théorie de l’évolution. Éditions DésIris. ISBN 9782757603222.
- ↑ Collard, Luc (2018). The Fifth Stroke: Explorez une nouvelle dimension!. Independently Published. ISBN 9781980513742.