ARE DRY-LAND STRENGTH METRICS AND FORCES EXERTED IN-WATER RELATED WITH HIGH SWIMMING VELOCITY IN YOUNG ATHLETES?

Abstract

This study aimed to assess strength metrics in 3 dry-land exercises, forces exerted inwater in 3 tethering conditions, and to analyze possible relationships between those variables with high swimming velocity. Mean power, mean forces and 50 m maximum swimming velocity, were recorded and calculated for ten male young swimmers. High correlations were noticed between the dry-land exercises, with the lat pull down presenting the higher correlation with swimming velocity (r = 0.695, p = 0.026). The higher correlation of swimming velocity with forces exerted in-water was observed through the only arms condition (r = 0.762, p = 0.010). Results suggest that for high swimming velocity forces exerted in-water by the arms are a major criteria for success, and that lat pull down may be an appropriate dry-land exercise for its development.