Relationship between somatic build and kinematic indices of underwater undulatory swimming performed by young female swimmers.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between anthropometric indices and kinematic underwater undulatory swimming (UUS) variables among young female swimmers.

Methods

The following parameters were determined in 34 participants (age 16.74 ± 0.70 years, World Aquatics score 561 ± 64): body height (H), mass (M) and fat percentage (BF ), BMI, lengths of the lower limb (LL ), thigh (LT ), and calf (LC ), circumferences of thigh (CT ), maximum calf (CC MAX) and distal lower leg (CCDIS ), skinfolds on the thigh (FT ) and calf (FC ), as well as foot length (FL ) and width (WF ), based on which an estimated foot surface area was calculated (SF ). Using the kinematic analysis of UUS recordings, the following were determined: velocity (v), frequency ( f ), distance per cycle (DPC), amplitude of toe (A) and product of A × f (IAf ). Pearson r correlation analysis was performed.

Results

A relationship was observed between v and: CC MAX (r = 0.48), CCDIS (r = 0.39) and LF (r = 0.35). IAf was correlated with: CCDIS (r = 0.40), CC MAX (r = 0.39) and M (r = 0.35). A relationship was observed between A and F T (r = 0.45) and C T (r = 0.42), as well as DPC with FT (0.40) and CC MAX (0.37).

Conclusions

The results indicate that the somatic structure has a small effect on the effectiveness and kinematic indices of UUS among young female swimmers.