For the subject in this study, the standard start position resulted in a more competitive start. The subject spent less time on the starting block during the standard start. Also, assuming that linear motion of the knee joint represents the whole body motion at the end of propulsion phase, the subject left the starting block with a more forward position and a larger horizontal velocity in the standard start compared to the track start. Our data suggest several factors that may have contributed to better performance with the standard start. First, the range of knee and ankle joint motion was greater with the standard start which may have helped to generate more muscle torque by the knee extensors and ankle plantarflexors. Secondly, the location of the body center of mass was initially more posterior in the track start, so that the subject had to move more while still on the starting block, which may have contributed to the longer movement time in the track start. The ankle joint was plantarflexed at the beginning of the track start, so that the plantarflexors were relatively short, which may have compromised their ability to generate torque. This study could be improved by including more subjects. Since this subject preferred the standard start, the results may have been biased by her ability or motivation. Although the standard start was faster for this particular subject, our conclusions cannot be extrapolated to other swimmers. The study could also be improved by using a flash start to more accurately determine the time that the subject left the block and to more closely approximate a competitive situation.