The relationship between dry-land power measures and tumble turn velocity in elite swimmers
Document Type
Journal Article
Publisher
American Swimming Coaches Association
Faculty
Faculty of Computing, Health and Science
School
School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Science
RAS ID
9141
Abstract
Dry-land resistance training is intended to increase the force and power output of the muscles specific to swimming performance. In terms of turning ability in the pool, leg power is thought to be important. The purpose of this study was to determine if leg power during a jump squat, countermovement jump and a vertical jump would be significantly correlated with tumble turn ability, and whether these jumps effectively discriminate between those swimmers with faster and slower turning ability. The tumble turn velocity (V2-4 m, V4-6m, V6-8 m and V8-10 m) of 67 male swimmers from the Australian Institute of Sport Elite Development Squad was assessed using video analysis and then compared with the leg power measures. All the independent variables were significantly related (P < 0.05) to initial turn velocity (V2-4 m), but the correlations could only be described as low to moderate (r = 0.28-0.41). No anthropometric or power measures were significantly related to tumble turn velocity at V6-8 m and V8-10 m. Significantly greater squat jump power at 30kg (8.4%), countermovement jump height (8.8%), vertical jump height (9.0%) and velocity at take-off (7.2%) were observed for the faster swimmers when compared at V2-4 m. However, significant between-group differences were no longer evident after three metres. It is possible that the exercises used in this study lacked specificity, or that tumble turn technique has greater importance than leg power.
Comments
Cronin, J., Jones, J., & Frost, D. (2007). The Relationship Between Dry-Land Power Measures and Tumble Turn Velocity in Elite Swimmers. Journal of Swimming Research, 17.