title: Dry-land bilateral hand-force production and swimming performance in paralympic swimmers.
abstract: The effectiveness of human movement is the culmination of several musculoskeletal factors; asymmetry in movement could reduce optimal performance. The aims of this study were to quantify relationships between bilateral hand-force production, swimming performance, and the influence of fatigue. Paralympic swimmers (n=21, aged 20.9 ± 4.7 yr) were categorised into no, high- and low-range physical disability groups and performed two 100 m time trials to measure swimming performance. Bilateral hand-force was measured over two 60 s maximal tests on a swim-bench ergometer to quantify the degree of asymmetry. Large relationships between mean force and swimming velocity were seen for both the high- (r=0.62, ±0.45; r-value, ±90% confidence limits) and low-range (r=0.62, ±0.50) groups. Asymmetry was related to level of disability, with the smallest difference of 6.7, ±2.6 N in the no-musculoskeletal disability group. This difference increased to 13.1, ±10.0 N and 13.5, ±16.2 N in the high- and low-range groups. Between the first and last 15 s of the swim-bench test, reductions in mean force were small for the physical disabilities groups. Similarly, changes in asymmetry were small for both the no-physical and low-range groups. Paralympic swimmers with a more severe physical impairment typically generate substantially lower force and velocity.
authors.affiliation: Performance Research, Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Dingley
authors.affiliation: Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, Belconnen, Australia.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pyne
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, Health and Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Australia.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Burkett
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D064846:Sports for Persons with Disabilities / Q000502:physiology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult