Kuberski Mariusz, Musial Agnieszka, Choroszucho Maciej, Konarski Jan M, Wąsik Jacek
Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, Jan Długosz University in Częstochowa, Częstochowa, Śląskie, Poland.
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
PeerJ. 2025 May 19;13:e19456. doi: 10.7717/peerj.19456. eCollection 2025.
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a 3-year swimming training programme on body fat measurements in adolescent girls, without prior selection.
Two groups of 10-year-old girls were analysed at the beginning of the study (4th grade in primary school). The experimental group consisted of 14 swimmers (body mass: 34.99 ± 2.77 kg; height: 146.00 ± 3.05 cm). The control group consisted of 14 girls (body mass: 37.93 ± 6.02 kg; height: 145.55 ± 3.88 cm) who only participated in mandatory physical education classes. The study was conducted over a period of 3 years, with measurements taken every 6 months. Body fat was measured through the thickness of skinfolds at four anatomical locations: above the biceps; above the triceps; below the lower angle of the scapula; and above the superior iliac crest. Based on these measurements, the percentage of body fat was calculated.
Statistical analysis revealed that despite the lack of initial selection, there was no significant difference in the percentage of body fat between the experimental and control groups at the start of the study-18.62% 24.85%. This difference persisted until the final measurement after 3 years, at which point it became statistically significant-17.31% 27.14% (F = 37.44, < 0.05).
Our findings indicate that 3 years of swimming training in adolescent girls resulted in a reduction in fat tissue growth across all four measurement sites. Initially, body fat percentage had a strong negative impact on VO max, particularly in the experimental group. However, this effect diminished in both groups over the course of the study.
Swimming may be an effective means of preventing obesity. Coaches should consider a slim physique in swimming candidates.
本研究的目的是评估一项为期3年的游泳训练计划对未经过预先筛选的青春期女孩身体脂肪测量结果的影响。
在研究开始时（小学四年级）对两组10岁女孩进行了分析。实验组由14名游泳运动员组成（体重：34.99±2.77千克；身高：146.00±3.05厘米）。对照组由14名女孩组成（体重：37.93±6.02千克；身高：145.55±3.88厘米），她们仅参加必修的体育课。该研究持续了3年，每6个月进行一次测量。通过测量四个解剖部位的皮褶厚度来测量身体脂肪：肱二头肌上方；肱三头肌上方；肩胛下角下方；髂嵴上方。根据这些测量结果计算身体脂肪百分比。
统计分析表明，尽管没有进行初始筛选，但在研究开始时实验组和对照组之间的身体脂肪百分比没有显著差异——分别为18.62%和24.85%。这种差异一直持续到3年后的最终测量，此时差异具有统计学意义——分别为17.31%和27.14%（F = 37.44，P<0.05）。
我们的研究结果表明，青春期女孩进行3年的游泳训练会使所有四个测量部位的脂肪组织生长减少。最初，身体脂肪百分比对最大摄氧量有强烈的负面影响，尤其是在实验组。然而，在研究过程中两组的这种影响都有所减弱。
游泳可能是预防肥胖的有效手段。教练在挑选游泳运动员时应考虑身材苗条的因素。
