Abstract
ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aimed to (i) assess an anthropometric and thrust inter-limb asymmetry, and; (ii) determine the contribution of anthropometrics, and dry-land upper-body strength and power to the thrust of talented adolescent swimmers. Methods: Eighteen talented adolescent swimmers (12 boys and 6 girls: 15.81 ± 1.62 years old) were evaluated. A set of anthropometric, dry-land upper-body strength and power, and in-water thrust were assessed. Results: Despite the fact that the dominant side presented higher values in anthropometrics (except for the hand surface area) and thrust, non-significant inter-limb differences were found. The symmetry index indicated a symmetry between upper-limbs. Hierarchical linear modeling retained as main predictors of each upper-limb thrust the respective hand surface area (dominant upper limb: estimate = 0.293, 95CI: 0.117; 0.469, p = 0.005; non-dominant upper limb: estimate = 0.295, 95CI: 0.063; 0.526, p = 0.025). The full stroke cycle retained the upper-body dry-land strength as main predictor (estimate = 0.397, 95CI: 0.189; 0.605, p = 0.002). Conclusion: The hand surface area and upper-body strength were the main predictors of each upper-limb and full stroke cycle thrust, respectively. Hence, coaches and practitioners should aim to carefully maximize the hand surface area (by finger spreading) while performing the stroke, as well as dry-land upper-body strength in order to enhance the performance.
Highlights
Swimmers should minimize drag and increase thrust to enhance the swim speed [1]
During the clean swimming phase, swimmers are submitted to water resistance, i.e. active drag [1]
It is suggested that when swimming at a constant velocity, the propulsive forces produced by the swimmer should equal the resistive ones [8]
Summary
During the clean swimming phase, swimmers are submitted to water resistance, i.e. active drag [1]. In this context, the drag effect (namely active) on swimmers are vastly reported in the literature [2], less is known about the thrust. It was noted that the thrust forces were not measured directly but estimated, this being a major limitation of the kinematic method [3]. Others used tethered swimming as a method to measure the maximum force (i.e. thrust) [7]. It is suggested that when swimming at a constant velocity, the propulsive forces produced by the swimmer should equal the resistive ones [8]. It is reasonable to think that it is an important performance area for optimizing swimming thrust, which could present a positive effect on swim velocity [14,15]
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