The effects of theraband training on respiratory parameters, upper extremity muscle strength and swimming performance

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 6 weeks theraband training on respiratory parameters, upper extremity muscle strength and 50-100m swimming performance in swimming athletes.
 Material and Methods. Totally 12 male swimmers participated voluntarily and were divided into two groups as control group (n=6) and experimental group (n=6). Control group did only swimming training, experimental group did theraband exercises in addition to swimming exercises. Respiratory parameters, upper extremity anaerobic performance, shoulder extension/flexion strength and swimming performance were measured. Mann Whitney-U Test was used to determine the differences between two groups. Wilcoxon Test was used to determine intra-group differences.
 Results. There was no statistically significant difference between the pre and post-test values of respiratory parameters, anaerobic performance values and swimming measurements of the experimental groups (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between shoulder extension and flexion values (p<0.05). As for the statistical results between the pre and post-test values of the control group, no significant difference was found in any of the variables (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the post-test values ​​of the experimental and control groups shoulder extension and flexion values (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between respiratory function parameters, anaerobic performance values and 50-100m swimming degrees (p>0.05).
 Conclusions. As a result of the findings, it can be said that theraband training which is done as a land work with swimming training leads to positive effects in the upper extremity muscle strength and swimming performance development of youth swimmers.