Association between the Upper Quarter Dynamic Balance, Anthropometrics, Kinematics, and Swimming Speed

Abstract

Besides recurrently assessed water-based parameters, there are also some individual characteristics that affect swimming performance that are not water related. In the past few years, dynamic balance has been associated with land sports performance. Conversely, evidence on this topic in swimming is scarce. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between on-land dynamic balance and swimming performance. Sixteen young adults and recreational swimmers were recruited for the present study (8 males 20.8 ± 2.0 years, and 8 females 20.1 ± 1.9 years). A set of anthropometric features were measured. The upper quarter Y-balance test was selected as a dynamic balance outcome, and swimming speed as the swimming performance indicator. The results showed a moderate and positive correlation between dynamic balance and swimming performance (p < 0.05). Speed fluctuation was highly and negatively related to swimming speed (p < 0.001), i.e., swimmers who had higher scores in the dynamic balance were more likely to deliver better performances. This suggests that in recreational swimmers, the stability and mobility of the upper extremity had a greater influence on swimming performance. Therefore, swimming instructors are advised to include dynamic balance exercises in their land-based training sessions to improve their swimmers’ performance.

Inter-limb differences in upper quarter mobility/stability are not associated with performance in competitive swimmers

“…Precisely, greater reach distances for the inferolateral direction and the composite score of both arms as well as for the medial direction of the non-dominant arm were correlated with lower swimming performance. This finding is contrary to those of Bartolomeu et al ( 6 ) reporting positive correlations between the composite score of both arms and swimming speed and indicates that for the B-squad swimmers a training-related increase in upper quarter mobility/stability could worsen their swimming performance. It is not yet clear why only the B-squad swimmers showed significant negative correlations between YBT–UQ and swimming performance.…”

“…Consequently, the observed LSI values of ≈ 3.4%–6.1%, ≈ 3.6%–7.6%, and ≈ 4.1%–7.5% in A-, B-, and C-squad swimmers respectively that were below injury-related cut-off values (≥7.75%), did not have a negative effect on swimming performance. This finding supports previous research ( 6 , 9 ) also reporting no or rarely impact of inter-limb asymmetry on swimming performance. However, we observed negative correlations between YBT–UQ performance (i.e., inferolateral reach direction and composite score for both arms and medial reach direction for the non-dominant arm) and swimming performance in B-squad swimmers.…”

“…Specifically, Bullock et al ( 5 ) showed significantly better YBT–UQ performances in collegiate swimmers ( N = 70; 20.8 ± 1.2 years) in comparison to high school swimmers ( N = 70; 17.0 ± 1.1 years) for the medial and inferolateral reach directions. Further, Bartolomeu et al ( 6 ) reported significant moderate positive correlations between YBT–UQ performance and swimming speed, i.e., swimmers ( N = 16; ≈20.0 ± 2.0 years) who had a large reach distance achieved a faster swimming speed.…”

“…In the first case, there are studies that reported a large number of injuries ( 3 ) and an increased risk of injury ( 4 ) for the shoulder region in swimmers. In the second case, studies have shown differences in YBT–UQ performance depending on swimmers' competition level ( 5 ) as well as significant associations between upper quarter mobility/stability and swimming performance ( 6 ). Specifically, Bullock et al ( 5 ) showed significantly better YBT–UQ performances in collegiate swimmers ( N = 70; 20.8 ± 1.2 years) in comparison to high school swimmers ( N = 70; 17.0 ± 1.1 years) for the medial and inferolateral reach directions.…”

“…However, these studies were almost exclusively performed with adult athletes, which limits the transferability of the findings to young athletes due to growth, maturation, and development processes ( 13 ). In the second case, only one study ( 6 ) exists to date, which analysed the relationship between swimming performance and inter-limb asymmetry in upper quarter mobility/stability using a dry-land test (i.e., YBT–UQ). The authors showed no significant correlations between asymmetry value and swimming speed.…”