The Influence of Balance and Flexibility on the Performance of Freestyle Swimming

The aim of this research was to determine the influence of motor abilities on the success of performing a freestyle swimming, pre and post the completed swimming training program. The study was conducted on a sample of 90 female students, aged 11-12 years, fifth graders from primary schools in Novi Grad Municipality in Sarajevo, using 6 motor variables and 1 criterion. Regression analysis was used to determine the effect of balance and flexibility on the freestyle swimming performance. Analyzing the presented results of the regression analysis, it was found that after the pre-test measurement of the variables for estimating the balance, the following predictor motor variable had the greatest and statistically significant influence on the criterion variable: standing upright on the balance beam with eyes open (BETA) = .581, which is significant at the level of p<.001. For flexibility, the following predictor motor variable is: upper body bent forward while sitting with legs side by side (BETA) = .411, which is significant at the p<.001 level. After the post-test measurement of the variables for the assessment of motor abilities (balance and flexibility), the same variables as for the pre-test measurement had the statistically significant influence on the criterion variable (freestyle swimming of the sections 25 m long – crawl, chest or back swimming). At standing on the right leg longitudinally, open-eyed, on the balance bench (BETA) = .448, which is significant at the level of p<.001, and in flexibility the variable - bench ab with legs side by side (BETA) = .463, which is significant at the level of p<.001. All movements in swimming require well-developed flexibility (mobility), and in particular the mobility of the torso and upper extremities.

The Influence of Balance and Flexibility on the Performance of Freestyle Swimming

The aim of this research was to determine the influence of motor abilities on the success of performing a freestyle swimming, pre and post the completed swimming training program. The study was conducted on a sample of 90 female students, aged 11-12 years, fifth graders from primary schools in Novi Grad Municipality in Sarajevo, using 6 motor variables and 1 criterion. Regression analysis was used to determine the effect of balance and flexibility on the freestyle swimming performance. Analyzing the presented results of the regression analysis, it was found that after the pre-test measurement of the variables for estimating the balance, the following predictor motor variable had the greatest and statistically significant influence on the criterion variable: standing upright on the balance beam with eyes open (BETA) = .581, which is significant at the level of p<.001. For flexibility, the following predictor motor variable is: upper body bent forward while sitting with legs side by side (BETA) = .411, which is significant at the p<.001 level. After the post-test measurement of the variables for the assessment of motor abilities (balance and flexibility), the same variables as for the pre-test measurement had the statistically significant influence on the criterion variable (freestyle swimming of the sections 25 m long – crawl, chest or back swimming). At standing on the right leg longitudinally, open-eyed, on the balance bench (BETA) = .448, which is significant at the level of p<.001, and in flexibility the variable - bench ab with legs side by side (BETA) = .463, which is significant at the level of p<.001. All movements in swimming require well-developed flexibility (mobility), and in particular the mobility of the torso and upper extremities.

___

  • Beganović, E. (2011). Effects of a Neoclassical Program on Elementary Swimming Training . Unpublished Master thesis. Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Sarajevo: Sarajevo.
  • Kazazović, B. (2008). Swimming . 3rd edition. Grafičar promet: Sarajevo.
  • Krstić, M., Kitanović-Krstić, R., & Čavka, A. (2012). Application of stretching exercises to the development of flexibility in the swimmer's training process . Proceedings of the 21st Summer School of Kinesiologists of the Republic of Croatia, “Intensification of the Exercise Process in the Fields of Education, Sport, Sports Recreation and Kinesitherapy”, 444-450.
  • Mandić, D., Okičić, T., Aleksandrović, M. (2007). Swimming . Nis: Serbia.
  • Malacko, J., & Rađo, I. (2004). Technology of sports and sports training . Sarajevo: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education.
  • Mirvić, E. (2015). Swimming. Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Sarajevo: Sarajevo.
  • Nikšić, E., Beganović, E., Joksimović M., Nasrolahi, S., & Đoković, I. (2019). The impact of strength and coordination on the success of freestyle swimming performance. European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science . 5(11): 10-22. DOI:10.5281/zenodo.3364090.
  • Okičić, T., Jorgić, B., Mandić D., Thanopoulos, V., & Jovanović, P. (2012). Relationships of basic and specific motor abilities with the results of breaststroke swimming in young swimmers. Sports Science & Health . 2(1): 16-21. DOI: 10.7251/SSH1201016O.
  • Rađo, I., Pivač, M., & Wolf, B. (1995). Metric Characteristics of Tests for Assessment of Situational - Motor Abilities in Swimming. Fis communication . Niš.
  • Stoiljković, S. (2003). Basics of general anthropomotorics . Nis: SKC-Nis.
  • Šiljag, K., & Grčić-Zubčević, N. (2007). Construction and validation of measuring instruments for assessing swimmer flexibility in back technique . Proceedings of the 16th Summer School of Kinesiologists of the Republic of Croatia. (pp. 219-224). Croatian Kinesiology Association.
  • Torlaković, A. (2009). The effects of an intensive program of learning the basic elements of swimming in extracurricular activities on young children. HomoSporticus . 11, 2: 14-18.
  • Vidović, N. (2000). Relationship between morphological characteristics and motor readiness (ability) with the degree of adoption of stylized swimming movements in student youth. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation. Faculty of physical culture, University of Sarajevo: Sarajevo.
  • Volčanšek, B. (1979). The influence of anthropometric and motor dimensions on swimming results. [Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation. Faculty of Physical Culture, University of Zagreb: Zagreb.
  • Volčanšek, B. (2002). The essence of swimming . Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb.