The Influence of Balance and Flexibility on the Performance of Freestyle Swimming

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine the influence of motor abilities on the success of performing a freestyle swimming, pre and post the completed swimming training program. The study was conducted on a sample of 90 female students, aged 11-12 years, fifth graders from primary schools in Novi Grad Municipality in Sarajevo, using 6 motor variables and 1 criterion. Regression analysis was used to determine the effect of balance and flexibility on the freestyle swimming performance. Analyzing the presented results of the regression analysis, it was found that after the pre-test measurement of the variables for estimating the balance, the following predictor motor variable had the greatest and statistically significant influence on the criterion variable: standing upright on the balance beam with eyes open (BETA) = .581, which is significant at the level of p<.001. For flexibility, the following predictor motor variable is: upper body bent forward while sitting with legs side by side (BETA) = .411, which is significant at the p<.001 level. After the post-test measurement of the variables for the assessment of motor abilities (balance and flexibility), the same variables as for the pre-test measurement had the statistically significant influence on the criterion variable (freestyle swimming of the sections 25 m long – crawl, chest or back swimming). At standing on the right leg longitudinally, open-eyed, on the balance bench (BETA) = .448, which is significant at the level of p<.001, and in flexibility the variable - bench ab with legs side by side (BETA) = .463, which is significant at the level of p<.001. All movements in swimming require well-developed flexibility (mobility), and in particular the mobility of the torso and upper extremities.