Body composition and specific and general strength indices as predictors of 100-m front crawl performance

The purpose of this research was to examine the impact of body composition on the anaerobic ability to generate strength and power produced separately by upper and lower limbs during dry-land and in-water (propulsion force) tests. Further examination included the influence of all gathered anaerobic strength indices on the results of 100-m front crawl race.

The study involved 26 male swimmers (age: 19.8 ± 2.48 years). Fat-free mass, total body water and muscle mass of arms, legs, and trunk were measured. Dry-land average work, maximal power generated in 40-second arm-cranking test, and work generated in 20 countermovement jumps were evaluated. The forces generated separately by arms and legs were assessed during 40-second tethered swimming. All indices of body composition were found strongly correlated with indices of average work and maximal power generated by arms and legs in dryland tests.

Muscle mass of arms and trunk moderately and strongly (r = 0.44-0.64) influenced the force generated by arms in tethered swimming. There was no significance in the relationship of leg muscle mass and force generated by legs in tethered swimming. Significant relationships were observed between the results of the 100-m front crawl and the muscle mass of the arms, trunk, legs, as well as the average work and maximal power in the arm-cranking test (r: 0.39-0.54). The average impulse of arm force and maximal leg force in tethered swimming moderately and significantly correlated with 100-m swimming results.

The study concludes the relevance of developing muscle mass balanced to the body size, which is involved in propulsion force production in sprint front crawl swimming.