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VOL. 10, ISSUE 1 (2025)
A comparative study on strength differences among swimmers of different strokes
Authors
Shraddha Dwivedi, Dr. Madhuri S Chendke
Abstract
Swimming is a popular and effective form of
exercise that engages the whole body, enhancing strength, endurance, and
flexibility. It involves moving through water using various techniques, known
as strokes. The four primary swimming strokes are: the freestyle (front crawl),
the backstroke, the breaststroke, and the butterfly. All four strokes require
specific motor fitness component to achieve the peak performance in the stroke.
The aim of the study was to compare the maximum leg strength and leg explosive
strength of swimmers of all four strokes. Total 80 subjects were purposively
selected for the study (20 from each stroke) from Maharashtra state. The
subjects performing IM as event were excluded from the study. The age of the
subjects was ranged between 18 to 25 years. The independent variables selected
for the study were Maximum leg strength measured by using dynamometer and leg
explosive strength by using vertical jump test. The data were collected as per
the ethical procedure. The result of the study showed the maximum leg strength
as (Breast stroke (145.40+23.57) > Butterfly (139.35+19.51) > Back
stroke (129.47+14.82) > Free style (128.85+18.565)). The breast
stroke demonstrates significant higher maximum leg strength compared to the
backstroke and freestyle due to the nature of its kick, which is more explosive
and requires a greater degree of power to achieve the necessary propulsion and
body position. This explosive movement demands significant activation of
fast-twitch muscle fibers and high force output from the legs. Also results
showed that the leg explosive strength as (Breast stroke (55.65 + 9.033)
> Butterfly (43.40 + 4.772) > Back stroke (42.75 + 6.679)
> Free style (40.200 +4.708)). The sequence of leg explosive strength
of various strokes shoes the biomechanics and muscle activation patterns of
each stroke, where strokes requiring more powerful, burst-like movements
(breaststroke and butterfly) demand greater leg strength than those with
continuous, rhythmic movements (backstroke and freestyle).
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Pages:6-9
How to cite this article:
Shraddha Dwivedi, Dr. Madhuri S Chendke "A comparative study on strength differences among swimmers of different strokes". International Journal of Yoga, Physiotherapy and Physical Education, Vol 10, Issue 1, 2025, Pages 6-9
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