Buoyancy, Gender, and Swimming Performance

This study investigated the relationship of gender and buoyancy to sprint swimming performance. The center of buoyancy (CB) and center of mass (CM) were measured using reaction board principles. Performance was evaluated as the time needed to complete the middle 13.7 m of a 22.9-m sprint for kicking and swimming trials. Nineteen female swimmers (mean ±SD, 21.9 ± 3.2 years) had significantly more body fat (24.1 ± 4.5%) than 13 male swimmers (21.7 ± 4.2 years, 14.8 ± 5.0%). Males swam and kicked significantly faster (p< .01) than females. Percent body fat, upper body strength, the distance between the CB and CM (d), and the buoyant force measured in 3 body positions all met the criteria for entrance into a regression equation. When gender was not controlled in the analysis, these variables accounted for 70% of the variance in swim time (p< .008). When gender was controlled in the analysis, these variables accounted for 45% of the variance in swim time (p= .06). Percent body fat accounted for the largest amount variance in both regression analyses (39%,p< .001; 18%,p= 0.02, respectively). Upper body strength accounted for 14% of the variance in swim time (p= .006) when gender was not controlled but only 4% when gender was controlled (p= .27). The distancedas measured in a body position with both arms raised above the head was the buoyancy factor that accounted for the greatest amount of variance in swim time (6% when gender was not controlled,p= .06, 10%; when gender was controlled,p= .07). Percent body fat,d, and the buoyant force accounted for no significant amount of variance in kick time. These data suggested that a swimmer’s buoyancy characteristics did have a small but important influence on sprint swimming performance.

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Relationships among Selected Attributes and Three Measures of Upper Body Strength and Endurance in Elementary School Children

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1992.75.3f.1115 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 75 (3_suppl) ◽

pp. 1115-1123 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sherry L. Folsom-Meek ◽

James Herauf ◽

Nicholas A. Adams

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Elementary School ◽

Body Mass ◽

Body Fat ◽

School Children ◽

Elementary School Children ◽

Upper Body ◽

Percent Body Fat ◽

Body Strength ◽

Upper Body Strength

The purpose of this investigation was to assess (a) proportions of children unable to perform each of three measures of upper body strength and endurance—pull-up, flexed-arm hang, and modified pull-up; (b) relationships among selected attribute variables of age, weight, percent body fat, and body mass index, and the three measures of upper body strength and endurance; and (c) the attribute variables which best predict scores for the three measures of upper body strength and endurance. Subjects were 104 elementary school children in Grades 1 through 6. Percentages of children obtaining zero scores were computed. Intercorrelations among the attribute and upper body strength and endurance variables were examined for significance and effect size. For each of the three measures of upper body strength and endurance, a max R2 forward stepwise, multiple regression analysis was performed to identify which attribute variables best predict the score of that particular measure. Analyses indicated that age and percent body fat were the best predictors of pull-up and flexed-arm hang scores, whereas age and body mass index best predicted the modified pull-up score.

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Relationship between Swimming Performance, Biomechanical Variables and the Calculated Predicted 1-RM Push-up in Competitive Swimmers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182111395 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (21) ◽

pp. 11395

Author(s):

Sofiene Amara ◽

Oussama Gaied Chortane ◽

Yassine Negra ◽

Raouf Hammami ◽

Riadh Khalifa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Swimming Performance ◽

Body Height ◽

Upper Body ◽

Stroke Index ◽

Front Crawl ◽

Body Strength ◽

Velocity Relationship ◽

Upper Body Strength ◽

Competitive Swimmers ◽

Push Up

One repetition maximum (1RM) push-ups, based upon the load–velocity relationship, are able to predict the maximum upper body strength. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between the predicted 1RM push-up based upon the load–velocity relationship and swimming performance and kinematical variables in competitive swimmers. Thirty-three competitive male swimmers (age = 16.46 ± 0.59 years, body mass = 72.82 ± 8.41 kg, body height = 180.56 ± 5.69 cm) performed push-up exercises without a weight vest and with a 10, 20 and 30 kg weight vests. A load–velocity relationship was established as a product of the load and velocity of the push-up per participant, and the equation was used to establish a predicted 1RM. Our findings showed a predicted 1RM push-up of 82.98 ± 9.95 kg. Pearson correlations revealed a nearly perfect relationship between the 1RM push-up and the 25 or 50 m front crawl (r = −0.968, r = −0.955), and between 1RM push-up and the 25 or 50 m front crawl with arms (r = −0.955, r = x0.941). Similarly, our results revealed significant near-perfect correlations between 1RM push-up and kinematical variables (r = 0.93–0.96) except the stroke index, which had a large relationship (r = 0.56). This study suggests that swimming performance and kinematical variables are correlated with the predicted 1RM push-up. The 1RM push-up based upon the load–velocity relationship is a low cost and time-effective alternative for swimmers and coaches to predict maximum upper body strength to optimize swimming performance in short races.

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Lean Body Mass Associated with Upper Body Strength in Healthy Older Adults While Higher Body Fat Limits Lower Extremity Performance and Endurance

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu7095327 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 7 (9) ◽

pp. 7126-7142 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Karen Charlton ◽

Marijka Batterham ◽

Kelly Langford ◽

Jenna Lateo ◽

Erin Brock ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Lower Extremity ◽

Lean Body Mass ◽

Body Mass ◽

Body Fat ◽

Upper Body ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Body Strength ◽

Lower Extremity Performance ◽

Upper Body Strength

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Aerobic fitness, upper-body strength and agility predict performance on an occupational physical ability test among police officers while wearing personal protective equipment

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness ◽

10.23736/s0022-4707.19.09482-9 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 59 (11) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Eduardo Frio Marins ◽

Leo Cabistany ◽

Charles Bartel ◽

J. Jay Dawes ◽

Fabrício Boscolo Del Vecchio

Keyword(s):

Aerobic Fitness ◽

Police Officers ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Upper Body ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Physical Ability ◽

Ability Test ◽

Body Strength ◽

Upper Body Strength

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Influences of Differing Menarche Status on Motor Capabilities of Girls, 13 To 16 Years: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18115539 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 5539

Author(s):

Barry Gerber ◽

Anita E. Pienaar ◽

Ankebe Kruger

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Upper Body ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Motor Fitness ◽

Body Strength ◽

The Status ◽

Hand Eye Coordination ◽

Upper Body Strength ◽

D Values

Puberty and the onset of menarche influences the motor performance of girls. However, the magnitude of these influences during varying maturity status, is not clear. This longitudinal study over two years aimed to investigate differences in motor fitness between early and late developing girls based on pre- and post-menarche status. A convenience sample (n = 58) of girls aged 13.51 ± 3.51, divided by means of the Status Quo method into pre (n = 13) and post-menarche (n = 45) groups, was used. Motor fitness was tested once annually by standardized protocols. Basic statistics, independent t-testing and a repeated measures ANOVA with a post hoc Bonferonni correction were used (p < 0.05 = statistical significance). Effect sizes were determined by Cohen’s d-values. Only explosive upper body strength differed significantly between groups during baseline, favoring post-menarche girls. Initially, post-menarche girls showed advantages in hand-eye coordination and speed (p > 0.05) with pre-menarche girls performing better in agility and explosive leg strength (p > 0.05). At 15.51 years, no significant, between-group differences were found. Pre-menarche girls surpassed post-menarche girls in hand-eye coordination and 0–40 m speed and post-menarche girls displayed higher explosive leg and upper body strength scores (p > 0.05). Our data show that the potential to excel in sport based on motor capabilities can only be accurately estimated 1–2 years after reaching menarche.

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EFFECT OF A 10-WEEK MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAM ON UPPER BODY STRENGTH IN MALE AND FEMALE RECRUITS

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/00005768-198504000-00069 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 195 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

L. E. M. Hart ◽

C. L. Allen ◽

K. M. Cox

Keyword(s):

Training Program ◽

Military Training ◽

Upper Body ◽

Male And Female ◽

Body Strength ◽

Upper Body Strength

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An Eye Tracking Examination of Men’s Attractiveness by Conceptive Risk Women

Evolutionary Psychology ◽

10.1177/1474704917690741 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 147470491769074 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ray Garza ◽

Roberto R. Heredia ◽

Anna B. Cieślicka

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Mexican American ◽

Hispanic Women ◽

Fat Distribution ◽

Upper Body ◽

Body Hair ◽

Body Strength ◽

Upper Body Strength ◽

Visual Attraction ◽

Physical Shape

Previous research has indicated that women prefer men who exhibit an android physical appearance where fat distribution is deposited on the upper body (i.e., shoulders and arms) and abdomen. This ideal physical shape has been associated with perceived dominance, health, and immunocompetence. Although research has investigated attractability of men with these ideal characteristics, research on how women visually perceive these characteristics is limited. The current study investigated visual perception and attraction toward men in Hispanic women of Mexican American descent. Women exposed to a front-posed image, where the waist-to-chest ratio (WCR) and hair distribution were manipulated, rated men’s body image associated with upper body strength (low WCR 0.7) as more attractive. Additionally, conceptive risk did not play a strong role in attractiveness and visual attention. Hair distribution did not contribute to increased ratings of attraction but did contribute to visual attraction when measuring total time where men with both facial and body hair were viewed longer. These findings suggest that physical characteristics in men exhibiting upper body strength and dominance are strong predictors of visual attraction.

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Comparison of upper body strength gains between men and women after 10 weeks of resistance training

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.1627 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. e1627 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Paulo Gentil ◽

James Steele ◽

Maria C. Pereira ◽

Rafael P.M. Castanheira ◽

Antonio Paoli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Resistance Training ◽

Peak Torque ◽

Elbow Flexor ◽

Upper Body ◽

Men And Women ◽

Body Strength ◽

Before And After ◽

Upper Body Strength ◽

Few Data ◽

Flexor Strength

Resistance training (RT) offers benefits to both men and women. However, the studies about the differences between men and women in response to an RT program are not conclusive and few data are available about upper body strength response. The aim of this study was to compare elbow flexor strength gains in men and women after 10 weeks of RT. Forty-four college-aged men (22.63 ± 2.34 years) and forty-seven college-aged women (21.62 ± 2.96 years) participated in the study. The RT program was performed two days a week for 10 weeks. Before and after the training period, peak torque (PT) of the elbow flexors was measured with an isokinetic dynamometer. PT values were higher in men in comparison to women in pre- and post-tests (p< 0.01). Both males and females significantly increased elbow flexor strength (p< 0.05); however, strength changes did not differ between genders after 10 weeks of RT program (11.61 and 11.76% for men and women, respectively;p> 0.05). Effect sizes were 0.57 and 0.56 for men and women, respectively. In conclusion, the present study suggests that men and women have a similar upper body strength response to RT.

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