SEPARATE TRUNK VOLUMES AND RIBS MOTION CORRELATIONS IN SWIMMERS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was that to analyze the separate trunk volumes and ribs motion correlations aiming to verify swimmers present better motor coordination or control during breathing. The trunk was represented by 53 markers, attached to the ribs, vertebrae, thorax and abdomen of 13 male swimmers and 10 non-athletes. From the 3D coordinates of the markers, obtained by a kinematical analysis system equipped with 6 digital video cameras (60Hz), in function of time, the rotation angles of the 2nd to the 10th ribs around the quasi-transversal axis and the volumes of 4 separate compartments of the trunk were calculated (superior thorax, inferior thorax, superior abdomen and inferior abdomen). Correlating the curves of ribs rotation angles with the curves of the separate volumes, swimmers presented higher values during vital capacity manoeuvers when the correlation involved the inferior thorax and the superior and inferior abdomen. These results showed a better coordination between the trunk volumes and the ribs motion in the swimmers during vital capacity manoeuvers, suggesting that swimming practice leads to the formation of an optimized breathing pattern when larger efforts are required from the respiratory system.