Relative contributions of strength, anthropometric, and body composition characteristics to estimated propulsive force in young male swimmers

J Strength Cond Res. 2015 Jun;29(6):1473-9. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000942.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative contributions of isokinetic forearm flexion (FLX) and extension (EXT) peak torque (PT) at 180°·s, height (HT), percent body fat (%BF), and fat-free mass (FFM) to the prediction of estimated propulsive force (EPF) and which of these variables should be a focus of training in young male swimmers. Thirty young male swimmers (mean age ± SD = 12.4 ± 2.7 years) volunteered for this study. The subjects were members of local swimming clubs who competed in the front crawl. The swimmers were measured for FLX and EXT PT at 180°·s, HT, body mass (BM), arm muscle area (AMA), arm circumference, triceps skinfold, %BF, and FFM. Arm muscle area was used to calculate EPF. Zero-order correlations and stepwise multiple regression analyses were used to examine the relationships among variables and the relative contributions of FLX, EXT, HT, %BF, and FFM to the prediction of EPF. Forearm flexion PT at 180°·s, EXT, BM, HT, FFM, AMA, and EPF were significantly intercorrelated (r = 0.83-1.00). In addition, 4 variables contributed significantly to the prediction of EPF (standardized regression coefficients = FFM [1.00], FLX [0.92], EXT [-0.62], and HT [-0.35]). Percent body fat did not contribute to any of the stepwise models. These findings suggested that age-related increases in HT and FFM, as well as training for increases in FLX and EXT strength may improve propulsive force and swimming performance in young male swimmers.

MeSH terms

  • Adiposity
  • Adolescent
  • Body Height
  • Body Weight
  • Body Weights and Measures*
  • Child
  • Forearm / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle Strength*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
  • Skinfold Thickness
  • Swimming / physiology*
  • Torque