Relationships Between Propulsion and Anthropometry in Paralympic Swimmers

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Paralympic Athletics

Background:

• Understanding the relationship between physical characteristics and athletic performance is crucial for optimizing training.
• Paralympic swimming involves athletes with diverse physical impairments, necessitating tailored performance strategies.
• Anthropometry and upper-body power are key factors influencing swimming speed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlations between anthropometric measures, upper-body propulsion, and swimming performance in Paralympic swimmers.
• To identify how these relationships vary across different levels of physical disability and gender.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for training and performance enhancement in Paralympic swimming.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 28 Paralympic swimmers (13 male, 15 female) across different disability classifications (S6-S14).
• Assessment of anthropometric profiles (muscle mass, body fat), upper-body power using a swim-bench ergometer, and 100-m time trials for performance.
• Statistical analysis to determine correlations between propulsion, anthropometry, and swimming outcomes.

Main Results:

• Correlation between upper-body power and swimming performance increased with the severity of physical disability.
• In mid-severity disabled females, greater muscle mass and arm span were linked to faster swimming times.
• In contrast, for females with no or low-severity disability, greater muscle mass was associated with slower times, while lighter body mass and smaller frontal area were advantageous.

Conclusions:

• Low-severity male and mid-severity female Paralympic swimmers can enhance performance by developing muscle mass and upper-body power.
• Coaches should consider these factors, with generalized anthropometric measures being a secondary focus.
• Tailoring training recommendations based on disability level and gender is essential for Paralympic swimmers.