EFFECTS OF LOWER LIMB BALLISTIC TRAINING ON LEG KICKING AND OVERALL PERFORMANCE IN SWIMMING

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a lower limb ballistic training program on maximal lower body musculoskeletal strength, the front crawl flutter kick, and swimming performance in front crawl during a sprint race (50 m). Five male recreational swimmers performed a lower limb ballistic training program twice a week over a 6-week period. One trial of 50 m front crawl and one trial of 25 m front crawl flutter kick sprint tests were used as a performance outcome pre and post the training program. Stroke length (SL) was calculated for the 50 m sprint event using 2D underwater analysis. The lower limb strength was assessed through a one-repetition maximum (1-RM) squat test, and the lower limb power was assessed using 3 trials of the CMJ, pre and post the training program. There were improvements in swimming performance in all participants except for one participant who did not improve. SL improved in some participants, while in others it showed no improvement, and the same trend was evident for the 1-RM test. The CMJ was analyzed, and several variables were evaluated. While some of them improved after the training program, there were no statistically significant differences between the pre and post tests. Due to the low number of participants (which took over 12 months to recruit), the study lacks the power to detect any change in performance pre and post ballistic training. Nevertheless, there is a need to investigate this topic while taking into account the limitations Finally, the improvements seen in the SL could be promising in maintaining or reducing the stroke rate while increasing the speed of the swimmer. This would improve swimming efficiency, and potentially minimize shoulder injuries resulting from the excessive load during training.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Health & Life Sciences