THE INFLUENCE OF SEX AND ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS ON THE PARTIAL AND TOTAL VELOCITlES OF PORTUGUESE TOP SWIMMERS

Abstract

This work studies the variation of some performance indicators - the relative contributions of partial velocities on total speed, the increase of speed induced by the action of lower limbs and the coordination degree of the action of both upper and lower limbs, in order to achieve maximum speed - on Portuguese top swimmers, in the four competitive strokes. The performance indicators were analyzed as functions of the sex of the swimmers and of selected anthropometric parameters (lengths, frontal areas and cross sectional areas of body segments). Twenty eight swimmers, fourteen of each sex, representing one of the best Portuguese competitive teams, were submitted to a standard test situation and to a photographic procedure. Their best times, velocities and somatic characteristics were thereafter determined. 'T' tests and analysis of variance were computed to account for differences in the performance indicators, between male and female swimmers. Anthropometric and performance variables were correlated inside each group. The values of 'T' and 'F' showed significant differences between average scores of male and female groups (P