The Relationship Between Explosive Strength and Swimming Performance

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between explosive strength and swimming performance in swimmers aged 12–13 years. The study was conducted with a total of 15 competitive swimmers (n = 15) residing in Sinop, including 8 males (12.75 ± 0.46 years; 163.12 ± 6.79 cm; 55.13 ± 4.65 kg) and 7 females (12.29 ± 0.49 years; 152.71 ± 2.87 cm; 48.16 ± 4.66 kg), all of whom had been licensed and actively competing for at least three years. Swimming performance times over 15 m, 25 m, and 50 m, as well as vertical jump performance, were assessed. Relationships between variables were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. The results indicated that swimming times over 15 m, 25 m, and 50 m were significantly associated with one another (p < 0.001). In addition, inverse relationships were observed between vertical jump performance and swimming times, with correlation coefficients of r = −0.75 for 15 m, r = −0.79 for 25 m, and r = −0.87 for 50 m. Overall, the findings suggest that short-distance swimming performance exhibits a complementary structure across different distances and is closely associated with explosive strength. As vertical jump performance increased, swimming times decreased, indicating that explosive strength may play an important role in short-distance swimming performance. In this context, dry-land assessments of explosive strength may serve as a practical indicator for understanding short-distance performance in young swimmers.

Keywords

• Sprint swimming performance
• Explosive strength
• Vertical jump
• Split times

Yüzmede Patlayıcı Kuvvet ve Performans İlişkisi

Abstract

Araştırmanın amacı, 12–13 yaş aralığındaki yüzücülerde patlayıcı kuvvet ile yüzme performansı arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektir. Araştırma, Sinop ilinde ikamet eden, en az üç yıldır lisanslı olarak müsabakalara katılan 8 erkek (12,75 ± 0,46 yıl; 163,12 ± 6,79 cm; 55,13 ± 4,65 kg) ve 7 kadın (12,29 ± 0,49 yıl; 152,71 ± 2,87 cm; 48,16 ± 4,66 kg) yüzücü ile yürütülmüştür (n=15). Katılımcıların 15 m, 25 m ve 50 m yüzme performans süreleri ile dikey sıçrama performansları değerlendirilmiş; değişkenler arasındaki ilişkiler Pearson korelasyon analizi ile incelenmiştir. Bulgular, 15 m, 25 m ve 50 m yüzme sürelerinin birbirleriyle anlamlı düzeyde ilişkili olduğunu göstermiştir (p < 0,001). Ayrıca dikey sıçrama performansı ile yüzme süreleri arasında ters yönlü ilişkiler saptanmış; bu ilişkiler 15 m için r = −0,75, 25 m için r = −0,79 ve 50 m için r = −0,87 olarak belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, kısa mesafe yüzme performansının farklı mesafelerde birbirini tamamlayan bir yapı sergilediği ve bu yapının patlayıcı kuvvet ile yakından ilişkili olduğu söylenebilir. Dikey sıçrama performansının artmasıyla birlikte yüzme sürelerinin kısaldığı görülmüş, bu durum patlayıcı kuvvetin kısa mesafe yüzme performansının ortaya konulmasında önemli bir rol oynayabileceğini düşündürmüştür. Bu bağlamda, kara ortamında değerlendirilen patlayıcı kuvvet özelliklerinin, genç yaş grubu yüzücülerde kısa mesafe performansının anlaşılmasında işlevsel bir gösterge olabileceği değerlendirilmektedir.

Keywords

• Sprint yüzme performansı
• Patlayıcı kuvvet
• Dikey sıçrama
• Split süreleri

References

1. Arıkan, G., & Culha, A. (2023). Üniversite öğrencilerinin yüzme kavramına ilişkin metaforik algıları. Spor ve Performans Araştırmaları Dergisi, 14(1), 43-58. https://doi.org/10.17155/omuspd.1198433
2. Born, D. P., Stöggl, T., Petrov, A., Burkhardt, D., Lüthy, F., & Romann, M. (2020). Analysis of freestyle swimming sprint start performance after maximal strength or vertical jump training in competitive female and male junior swimmers. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 34(2), 323-331.
3. de Oliveira, F. C. S., de Oliveira, G. P., de Medeiros, M. F., de Paiva, P. H. M., Bulhões-Correia, A., de Almeida Neto, P. F., & Cabral, B. G. D. A. T. (2023). Relationship between the vertical countermovement jump and the simulated performance of the initial 15 meters of crawl swimming performed by adolescent athletes. RBPFEX-Revista Brasileira de Prescrição e Fisiologia do Exercício, 17(108), 121-127.
4. Domínguez, R., López-León, I., Moreno-Lara, J., Rico, E., Sánchez-Oliver, A. J., Sánchez-Gómez, Á., & Pecci, J. (2025). Sport supplementation in competitive swimmers: A systematic review with metaanalysis. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2025.2486988
5. Đurović, M., Beretić, I., Zrnzević, J., Okičić, T., Jorgić, B., & Milanov, M. (2015). The relations between power and force variables reaized during the squat jump with start performance in national level male sprint swimmers. Facta Universitatis, Series: Physical Education and Sport, 89-96.
6. Fernandes, R. J., Carvalho, D. D., & Figueiredo, P. (2024). Training zones in competitive swimming: A biophysical approach. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6, 1-7.
7. Formicola, D., & Rainoldi, A. (2015). A kinematic analysis to evaluate the start techniques’ efficacy in swimming. Sport Sciences for Health, 11, 57-66.
8. García-Ramos, A., Padial, P., De La Fuente, B., Argüelles-Cienfuegos, J., Bonitch-Góngora, J., & Feriche, B. (2016b). Relationship between vertical jump height and swimming start performance before and after an altitude training camp. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 30(6), 1638-1645.

9. García-Ramos, A., Tomazin, K., Feriche, B., Strojnik, V., de la Fuente, B., Argüelles-Cienfuegos, J., Strumbelj, B., & Štirn, I. (2016a). The relationship between the lower-body muscular profile and swimming start performance. Journal of Human Kinetics, 50, 157.
10. Gayretli, Z., & Yüksel, Ü. (2026). Spor bilimleri fakültesi öğrencilerinin çözüm odaklı düşünmeleri ile etkili karar verme becerileri arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. Dede Korkut Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 1(1), 20-33.
11. Hermosilla, F., Sanders, R., Gonzalez-Mohino, F., Yustres, I., & Gonzalez-Rave, J. M. (2021). Effects of dry-land training programs on swimming turn performance: a systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(17), 9340.
12. Ikeda, Y., Kawabe, M., & Hisamitsu, T. (2026). Influence of lower-extremity joint torque and power during vertical and horizontal jumps on swimming start performance in competitive swimming. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 40(1), e50-e61.
13. İnaç, Y., Ünver, Ş., Şimşek, E., Arslan, H., Altun, D., Atan, A. U., & Akman, T. (2026). Relationship between anaerobic power and start performance parameters in adolescent swimmers. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 18(1), 133.
14. İnan, M., Arabacı, R., Soyal, M., Arabacı, M. (2025). Investigation of heart rate variability of 14-18 aged swimmers: Loading and recovery in different swimming styles in short distance (50 M). Spor ve Performans Araştırmaları Dergisi, 16(1), 121-136. https://doi.org/10.17155/omuspd.1602941
15. Kachaunov, M., & İossifov, R. (2024). Anaerobic power and capacity in short-, middle-and long-distance young swimmers. Journal of Physical Education & Sport, 24(4).
16. Kang, H. (2021). Sample size determination and power analysis using the G* Power software. Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions, 18, 1-12.
17. Karadenizli, Z. İ., & Yavaş, B. (2024). Yüzücü çocuklarda, boy, vücut ağırlığı, kulaç uzunluğu, dikey sıçrama, anaerobik güç değerleri ile serbest ve kurbağalama teknik yüzme performansı arasındaki ilişkiler. Düzce Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 4(1), 42-50.
18. Karasar, N. (2017). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemleri: Kavramlar, teknikler ve ilkeler (27. baskı), Ankara: Nobel Yayınevi.
19. Keiner, M., Wirth, K., Fuhrmann, S., Kunz, M., Hartmann, H., & Haff, G. G. (2021). The influence of upper-and lower-body maximum strength on swim block start, turn, and overall swim performance in sprint swimming. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 35(10), 2839-2845.
20. Keiner, M., Yaghobi, D., Sander, A., Wirth, K., & Hartmann, H. (2015). The influence of maximal strength performance of upper and lower extremities and trunk muscles on different sprint swim performances in adolescent swimmers. Science & Sports, 30(6), e147-e154.
21. Khudhair, Z. A. A. A. R. (2026). Explosive leg power and its relationship with start and turn times in the 50-meter butterfly swimming performance of youth swimmers. Journal of Education and Sport Science, 7(1), 14-19.
22. Kızılörs, G., & Arslanoğlu, C. (2025). Paris Olimpiyatlarında finale kalan sporcuların kelebek ve kurbağalama stil performans analizleri. International Journal of Health, Exercise, and Sport Sciences (IJOSS), 3(2), 146–156.
23. Kızılörs, G., Arslanoğlu, C., & Arslanoğlu, E. (2023). Adolesan yüzücülerde vücut bileşimi ve yüzme performansı ilişkisi. Gazi Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 28(4), 308-314.
24. Kováčová, N., & Broďáni, J. (2019). Swimming performance to 25 meters backstroke depends on selected factors of explosive strength of lower limbs. Acta Facultatis Educationis Physicae Universitatis Comenianae, 59(2).
25. Loturco, I., Barbosa, A. C., Nocentini, R. K., Pereira, L. A., Kobal, R., Kitamura, K., Abadi, C. C. C., Figueiredo, P., & Nakamura, F. Y. (2016). A correlational analysis of tethered swimming, swim sprint performance and dry-land power assessments. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 37(03), 211-218.
26. Markovic, G., Dizdar, D., Jukic, I., & Cardinale, M. (2004). Reliability and factorial validity of squat and countermovement jump tests. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 18(3), 551–555.
27. Morais, J. E., Barbosa, T. M., Arellano, R., Silva, A. J., Sampaio, T., Oliveira, J. P., & Marinho, D. A. (2024). Race analysis in swimming: Understanding the evolution of publications, citations and networks through a bibliometric review. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6, 1413182
28. Morais, J. E., Barbosa, T. M., Forte, P., Silva, A. J., & Marinho, D. A. (2021). Young swimmers' anthropometrics, biomechanics, energetics, and efficiency as underlying performance factors: A systematic narrative review. Frontiers in Physiology, 12, 691919
29. Morouço, P., Keskinen, K. L., Vilas-Boas, J. P., & Fernandes, R. J. (2011). Relationship between tethered forces and the four swimming techniques performance. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 27(2), 161-169.
30. Muniz-Pardos, B., Gomez-Bruton, A., Matute-Llorente, A., Gonzalez-Aguero, A., Olmedillas, H., Gomez-Cabello, A., Casajus, J. A., & Vicente-Rodríguez, G. (2024). Lower-body strength, power and sprint front crawl performance. Translational Exercise Biomedicine, 1(3-4), 344-354.
31. Pérez-Olea, J. I., Valenzuela, P. L., Aponte, C., & Izquierdo, M. (2018). Relationship between dryland strength and swimming performance: Pull-up mechanics as a predictor of swimming speed. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 32(6), 1637-1642.
32. Peyrebrune, M. C., Toubekis, A. G., Lakomy, H. K. A., & Nevill, M. E. (2014). Estimating the energy contribution during single and repeated sprint swimming. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 24(2), 369-376.
33. Ruiz-Navarro, J. J., Santos, C. C., Born, D. P., López-Belmonte, Ó., Cuenca-Fernández, F., Sanders, R. H., & Arellano, R. (2025). Factors relating to sprint swimming performance: A systematic review. Sports Medicine, 55(4), 899-922. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-024-02172-4
34. Sawyer, J., Higgins, P., Cacolice, P. A., & Doming, T. (2021). Bilateral back squat strength is increased during a 3-week undulating resistance training program with and without variable resistance in DIII collegiate football players. PeerJ, 9, e12189.
35. Suchomel, T. J., Nimphius, S., & Stone, M. H. (2016). The importance of muscular strength in athletic performance. Sports Medicine, 46(10), 1419-1449.
36. Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2013). Using multivariate statistics (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
37. Thng, S., Pearson, S., & Keogh, J. W. (2019). Relationships between dry-land resistance training and swim start performance and effects of such training on the swim start: A systematic review. Sports Medicine, 49(12), 1957-1973.
38. Veiga, S., & Roig, A. (2017). Effect of the starting and turning performances on the subsequent swimming parameters of elite swimmers. Sports Biomechanics, 16(1), 34-44.
39. Veiga, S., Cala, A., G. Frutos, P., & Navarro, E. (2014). Comparison of starts and turns of national and regional level swimmers by individualized-distance measurements. Sports Biomechanics, 13(3), 285-295.
40. Welcher, R. L., Hinrichs, R. N., & George, T. R. (2008). Front-or rear-weighted track start or grab start: Which is the best for female swimmers? Sports Biomechanics, 7(1), 100-113.
41. West, D. J., Owen, N. J., Cunningham, D. J., Cook, C. J., & Kilduff, L. P. (2011). Strength and power predictors of swimming starts in international sprint swimmers. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 25(4), 950-955.
42. Wiażewicz, A. (2016). Shoulder joint torque analysis in young swimmers. Journal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences (JKES), 73(26), 59-66.
43. Wiażewicz, A., & Eider, J. (2016). Assessment of shoulder joint strength disproportion of masters swimmers. Central European Journal of Sport Sciences and Medicine, 16(4), 85-90.
44. Xu, Z., Su, S., & Xu, Z. (2026). Effects of variable resistance training on lower limb explosive power in athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PeerJ, 14, e20644.
45. Yapıcı, A., & Cengiz, C. (2015). The relationship between lower extremity Wingate anaerobic test (want) and 50m freestyle swimming performance. International Journal of Sport Culture and Science, 3(Special Issue 3), 44-54.
46. Zamparo, P., Capelli, C., & Pendergast, D. (2011). Energetics of swimming: A historical perspective. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 111(3), 367-378.