Albuquerque, F. L., Teles de Moura, T. C., da Cunha Costa, M., de Oliveira, F. M., Barbosa Jr., M. L., Ritti-Dias, R. M., & dos Santos, A. M. (2014). Height and body composition determine the arm propulsive force in young swimmers independent of maturation stage. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 46(5), Supplement abstract number 3505.

This study examined the relationships between both anthropometric parameters and body composition and propulsive force in swimmers aged 9-17 years. Anthropometric characteristics (body height and weight, sitting height, arm span, arm muscle area, and body composition) and the propulsive force of the arm (tethered swimming test) were evaluated in 56 competitive male swimmers. Tanner’s stages of genital maturation (P1-5) were used.

All variables showed positive but non-significant low correlations with the propulsive force of the arm: height (r = 0.34), arm span (r = 0.29), sitting height (r = 0.36), body fat percentage (r = 0.33), lean body mass (r = 0.34) and arm muscle area (r = 0.31). Body fat percentage and height were identified as significant predictors of the propulsive force of the arm, even after controlling for maturation stage. This model explained 22% of these associations.

Implication. The propulsive force of swimming is determined partly and to a low degree by height and body fat percentage, even after controlling for maturation stage.

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