Relationship Between Lower Body Anaerobic Power and Competitive Swimming Results of Bulgarian Swimmers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to find if there is a significant relationship between anaerobic power and freestyle swimming performance. The participants were 87 national and international level Bulgarian swimmers (37 women and 50 men). The average age was 15.45±1.49 years: 15.05±1.55 years for women and 15.74±1.40 years for men. The determination of anaerobic power was made by standard Wingate anaerobic test protocol. Absolute and relative values of the main indicators of the test have been measured: Peak power (PP) and Average Power (AP). For the comparison have been chosen sprint freestyle swimming events (50 100 and 200 m). Swimming times were taken from the official results of Bulgarian national swimming championship conducted 10 days after Wingate anaerobic test have been performed. As a result, we have found significant correlations between the main indicators of the Wingate anaerobic test and sprint freestyle performance for both women: 50 m vs. PP (r=-0.600; p<0,001); 50 m vs. AP (r=-0.668; p<0,001) and men: 50 m vs. PP (r=-0.789; p<0.001); 50 m vs. AP (r=-0.847; p<0.001). The conclusion is that there is a significant correlation between the anaerobic power measured by Wingate anaerobic test and freestyle swimming performance. In addition, we can recommend Wingate anaerobic test as an appropriate method for assessment anaerobic power in swimmers.