Evaluation of respiratory parameters in finswimmers regarding gender, swimming style and distance

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of our study was to investigate the differences in the finswimmers' physiological characteristics, as far as gender, the swimming style and the different swimming distance are concerned.

Methods: 52 finswimmers participated in our study (Age: 17.4 ± 2.1yrs, BMI: 21.8 ± 2.3, body fat: 12.2 ± 4.7%) and were allocated into groups [Gender: Female vs. Male, swimming style: Bifin vs. Surface, and swimming distance: <200 m vs. ≥200 m]. Anthropometric characteristics, handgrip, estimated strength of inspiratory muscles (PI_max) and pulmonary function parameters (FEV₁, FVC and PEF) were measured. The Independent T-test was used for statistical comparisons between groups. Multivariate analyses were performed via binary logistic regression.

Results: The results showed differences between groups in gender in PEF (p < 0.05), PI_max (p < 0.05) and handgrip (p < 0.001) in swimming style in handgrip (p < 0.05), FEV₁ (p < 0.05) and FVC (p < 0.05) and in swimming distance (p < 0.05) in hours/day spent at the gym (p < 0.05) and FVC (p < 0.05). In multivariate analyses handgrip remained an independent predictor of style (OR: 1.154; 95%CI: 1.022-1.303, p = .021), and hours/day spent at the gym was retained as an independent predictor of distance (OR: 131.607; 95%CI: 3.655-4739.441, p = .008).

Conclusion: The data from the present study reveal that handgrip was associated with style, and hours per day spent at the gym were associated with distance.

Keywords: Finswimming; Respiratory; Strength; Young athletes.