Abstract:
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of swimming training on selected strength and respiratory function variables in pre-pubertal children.
Methods: Thirteen trained 7- to 10-year-old swimmers who were the members of the same college team and who trained for at least 6 months, 3 days a week volunteered to participate in this study. The values of investigated variables were compared with the values of the untrained group, matched for age and gender. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) were measured to determine the respiratory function. The bio-motoric properties were evaluated by right and left handgrip isometric strength, and vertical jumping height.
Results: Mean age, height, weight and BMI values were not significant different between groups (p > 0.05). The respiratory function (FVC, FEV1 and MVV values) and handgrip-right and handgrip-left values were not significant different between groups (p > 0.05). Additionally, SJ values were not different between groups (p > 0.05), but CMJ values were significantly different between groups with higher values in trained group (p = 0.012).
Conclusion: There are studies that put forth the positive effects of exercise programs on the respiratory functions of individuals who have not yet completed their developments as well as studies that state the contrary. The findings of the current study demonstrated that there was a statistically significant difference only for CMJ performance in favor of trained children, and not for the other investigated variables. Training experience and age can explain this situation. A six-month training program appears to be inadequate for little pre-pubertal children to improve respiratory functions and strength properties.
