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Fong SSM1, Bae Y-H2, Yam TTT1, Kwong KSC1,3
1The University of Hong Kong, School of Public Health, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2Korea Worker’s Compensation and Welfare Service Daegu Hospital, Rehabilitation Clinical Research Center, Daegu, Korea (South), 3The Open University of Hong Kong, School of Nursing and Health Studies, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Background: Swimming is one of the most popular sports globally. However, questions remain about what discriminates elite swimmers from non-elite swimmers. Can a recreational swimmer achieve elite-level performance after receiving a certain period of training?
Purpose: Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the shoulder muscle performance and lean mass of elite and recreational swimmers. By identifying differences between high-level and lower-level performers, the muscular characteristics of elite competitive swimmers can be addressed. The results of this study may thus aid talent identification and development in competitive swimming.
Methods: Thirty elite swimmers (mean age ± standard deviation = 23.1 ± 3.5 years) and 21 recreational swimmers (mean age ± standard deviation = 20.8 ± 2.1 years) participated in the study voluntarily. Maximum isometric muscle strength and time to maximum isometric muscle strength of the shoulder flexor, extensor, abductor, and adductor muscles were measured using a handheld dynamometer. The lean mass of the arms and body (excluding the head) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (a whole-body scan).
Results: Elite swimmers had greater maximum isometric muscle strength of the shoulder flexor, extensor, abductor, and adductor muscles than recreational swimmers (all p 0.001). The time to reach maximum isometric muscle strength for all shoulder muscles revealed no significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). The lean mass values in the left arm (p = 0.037), right arm (p 0.001), and whole body (p = 0.014) were higher in the elite swimmers than in the recreational swimmers.
Conclusion(s): The elite swimmers had greater shoulder maximum isometric muscle strength than the recreational swimmers although the time needed to reach maximum isometric muscle strength was similar for both groups. The elite swimmers also had greater lean mass in both arms and in their entire body than the recreational swimmers. These results may be useful for recreational swimmers who intend to advance to the professional level and for talent identification and the early development of elite swimmers.
Implications: Shoulder maximum isometric muscle strength and lean mass in both arms and in the entire body discriminate elite swimmers from non-elite swimmers. Therefore, strengthening exercises aiming to increase shoulder maximum isometric muscle strength and whole body (especially the arms) lean mass should be incorporated into the swimming programs for recreational/non-elite swimmers.
Keywords: Muscle mass, strength, professional swimmers
Funding acknowledgements: No funding was provided for this study.
Purpose: Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the shoulder muscle performance and lean mass of elite and recreational swimmers. By identifying differences between high-level and lower-level performers, the muscular characteristics of elite competitive swimmers can be addressed. The results of this study may thus aid talent identification and development in competitive swimming.
Methods: Thirty elite swimmers (mean age ± standard deviation = 23.1 ± 3.5 years) and 21 recreational swimmers (mean age ± standard deviation = 20.8 ± 2.1 years) participated in the study voluntarily. Maximum isometric muscle strength and time to maximum isometric muscle strength of the shoulder flexor, extensor, abductor, and adductor muscles were measured using a handheld dynamometer. The lean mass of the arms and body (excluding the head) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (a whole-body scan).
Results: Elite swimmers had greater maximum isometric muscle strength of the shoulder flexor, extensor, abductor, and adductor muscles than recreational swimmers (all p 0.001). The time to reach maximum isometric muscle strength for all shoulder muscles revealed no significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). The lean mass values in the left arm (p = 0.037), right arm (p 0.001), and whole body (p = 0.014) were higher in the elite swimmers than in the recreational swimmers.
Conclusion(s): The elite swimmers had greater shoulder maximum isometric muscle strength than the recreational swimmers although the time needed to reach maximum isometric muscle strength was similar for both groups. The elite swimmers also had greater lean mass in both arms and in their entire body than the recreational swimmers. These results may be useful for recreational swimmers who intend to advance to the professional level and for talent identification and the early development of elite swimmers.
Implications: Shoulder maximum isometric muscle strength and lean mass in both arms and in the entire body discriminate elite swimmers from non-elite swimmers. Therefore, strengthening exercises aiming to increase shoulder maximum isometric muscle strength and whole body (especially the arms) lean mass should be incorporated into the swimming programs for recreational/non-elite swimmers.
Keywords: Muscle mass, strength, professional swimmers
Funding acknowledgements: No funding was provided for this study.
Topic: Sport & sports injuries; Musculoskeletal
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: University of Hong Kong/Hospital Authority
Ethics committee: HKU/Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster’s Institutional Review Board
Ethics number: UW 17-547
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
