Abstract
Abstract This study aimed to estimate the propulsive force of the arm (PFA) in young freestyle swimmers and propose an equation to estimate propulsive force, considering anthropometric variables and maturity offset. Seventy-six competitive swimmers [boys: n= 53; age= 13.58 ± 1.79; girls: n= 23; age= 12.98 ± 1.79] participated in this study. Height, lean mass, sitting height, leg length, arm span, triceps skinfold, arm muscle area (AMA), and maturity offset were assessed. The propulsive force of the arm was measured by the tethered swim test. A multiple linear regression (concurrent model) was used to develop the equation using the variables AMA, arm span, and maturity offset. The Bland–Altman method was used to compare the values found between PFA and propulsive force–estimated (PFE). There was a significant correlation between the variables PFA and AMA (R²=0.12; p<0.01), arm span (R²=0.21; p<0.01), and maturity offset (R²=0.20; p<0.01) for boys, whilst in girls theses values were: AMA (R²=0.07;p=0.20), arm span (R²=0.50;p<0.01), and maturity offset (R²=0.44;p<0.01). Two linear equations were established to predict the PFA in boys and girls Bland-Altman analysis showed an agreement between PFA and PFE. In conclusion, the equation is a valuable tool to monitor training and help improve swimmer performance.
Highlights
Performance in different competitive swimming events and tests may be explained by biomechanical parameters, cardiorespiratory fitness, propulsive force, resistance in the aquatic environment, and technical factors[1,2]
The main results observed in the present study were positive associations between the propulsive force of the arm, maturity offset, arm span, and arm muscle area (AMA), allowing, through linear regression analysis, the elaboration of a prediction equation of PFA
One of the main challenges related to athlete performance is to identify which variables can predict athletic success. Some anthropometric factors, such as arm span, and biomechanical, technical, and kinetic variables related to the propulsive force of the arm appear as possible performance indicators in swimming athletes[1,2,4,20,21]
Summary
Performance in different competitive swimming events and tests may be explained by biomechanical parameters, cardiorespiratory fitness, propulsive force, resistance in the aquatic environment, and technical factors[1,2]. The inclusion of upper limb strength seems crucial to increase the propulsion levels used in water[4]. In this context, several studies have been conducted to find out how large the correlation is between anthropometric indicators and swimming performance of young swimmers, and which of these indicators has the greatest impact on swimming performance[5,6,7,8]. Sammound et al.[11] revealed that 100-m butterfly speed performance was strongly and positively associated with the segment length ratio [(arm-span)/(forearm-length) and girth ratio (calfgirth)/(ankle-girth), rather than the whole-body size characteristics.
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