Effects of the anthropometric and kinematic parameters on 50 m freestyle swimming performances

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the anthropometric and kinematic parameters on 50 m freestyle swimming performances in swimmers. The study group of the research consists of 31 students, whose ages are 23.29 ± 2.65 years, who are studying in School of Physical Education and Sports, Selcuk University, and who swim at least for 4 years. In the study, body fat percentage making the various anthropometric measurements on the students, their body fat percentages and body compositions were determined. After 50 m freestyle swimming, the scores of the students were recorded. During these measurements, the students were monitored by means of video camera and their arm cycles were also determined. Stroke rate, tine of 50 m freestyle swimming, and Pearson correlation coefficient of anthropometric variables were calculated. In assessment of the results of correlation analysis, the range of 0.30-0.70 was defined as middle level relationship and range of 0.70-1.00 as high level relationship. In this study carried out to measure the effect of stroke rates of 50 m freestyle swimmers on performance, a negative middle level relationship was observed between body weight and time of 50 m freestyle swimming. This relationship indicates that when body weight increases, freestyle swimming performance will improve. In addition, the fact that the swimmers in this study have a endo-meso body type is an important finding pointing out the performance increase.