TIED SWIMMING: STRENGTH PRODUCTION OF SWIMMERS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS

Abstract

Introduction: Through the force generated in tied swimming, it is possible to differentiate the level of training of a swimmer. However, comparative studies with swimmers of different performance levels still need to be carried out. Objective: To compare the production of maximum force in 10s of tied crawl swimming by recreational swimmers, base athletes and recreational athletes. Methods: A total of 94 swimmers of both sexes participated in the study, 43 recreational swimmers, with a mean age of 24.7 ± 9.26 years, 22 base athletes, with a mean age of 11.7 ± 1.3 years, and 29 high-performance athletes, with a mean age of 19.4 ± 4.3 years. The swimmers performed a maximum stimulus of 10 seconds of tied crawl swimming, after routine warm-up. For data analysis, the JASP software was used and a significance level of p<0.05. Results: The main results indicated that a) the performance athletes had the highest indices of Average Strength and Maximum Strength; b) the highest correlation values found were between Mean Strength and Maximum Strength (r=0.90) and between Mean Strength and Body Mass and Maximum Strength and Body Mass (r=0.52 and r=0.57, respectively); c) the fatigue index was not correlated with any other variable in the study; d) the variables Body Mass and Swimmer Level were significant predictors of Mean Strength and the model found in linear regression explained 60.8% of this variable. Conclusion: The equation for predicting average strength as a function of body mass and competitive level of athletes can help coaches and physical trainers in monitoring their athletes and prescribing training throughout the season, in order to increase propulsive efficiency in the water.