title: Relationship between performance, dry-land power and kinematics in master swimmers.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to analyze the relationships between sprint swimming performance, dry-land power, and kinematics in master swimmers. Twenty-two male master swimmers were separated in two groups based on their chronological age: (i) 30-39 years and; (ii) 40-49 years. Maximum dry-land power was determined through counter movement jump and 3 kg medicine ball throwing (Hmax and Tmax, respectively). Kinematic determinants of performance were measured during a maximal bout of 15, 25 and 50 m front crawl (T15, T25, T50). Stroke frequency (SF), stroke length (SL) and stroke index (SI) were calculated as kinematical aspects of the stroke. In the 30-39 group, SI25 was correlated to T25 (r = -0.76, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.96), the same was observed between SI50 and T50 (r = -0.83, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.96). Only SI50 was significantly correlated to T50 (r = 0.86, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.97) in the 40-49 years age cohort. In dryland power variables, Hmax and Tmax were only correlated in the younger master swimmers group (r = -0.87, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.97). There were no significant differences (p < 0.05) between younger (30-39 years) and older (40-49 years) swimmers groups in dry-land tests (Hmax 28.5 ± 5.9 vs. 26.5 ± 3.9 cm and Tmax 4.2 ± 1.0 vs. 4.2 ± 1.1 m). Our results suggest that swimming performance in younger master swimmers (30-39 years) seem more dependent on kinematic swimming variables than on strength parameters, which were most related to swimming performance in the older master swimmers (40-49 years).
authors.affiliation: CIPER - Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Portugal.|Polytechnic Institute of Setubal, School of Education, Setubal, Portugal.
authors.forename: Mario C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Espada
authors.affiliation: Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, Portugal.|Polytechnic Institute of Guarda, Department of Sport Sciences, Guarda, Portugal.
authors.forename: Mario J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, Portugal.|Health Sciences Research Centre CICS, University of Beira Interior, Covilha, Portugal.|University of Beira Interior, Covilha, Portugal.
authors.forename: Aldo M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, Portugal.|University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Antonio J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, Portugal.|National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
authors.forename: Tiago M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.affiliation: Polytechnic Institute of Setubal, School of Education, Setubal, Portugal.|Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*