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

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) and pulmonary function parameters (FEV, 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 (p < 0.05) and handgrip (p < 0.001) in swimming style in handgrip (p < 0.05), FEV (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.