The effects of theraband training on respiratory parameters, upper extremity muscle strength and swimming performance

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 6 weeks theraband training on respiratory parameters, upper extremity muscle strength and 50-100m swimming performance in swimming athletes.

Material: Totally 12 male swimmers participated voluntarily and were divided into two groups as control group (n=6) and experimental group (n=6). Control group did only swimming training, experimental group did theraband exercises in addition to swimming exercises. Respiratory parameters, upper extremity anaerobic performance, shoulder extension/flexion strength and swimming performance were measured. Mann Whitney-U Test was used to determine the differences between two groups. Wilcoxon Test was used to determine intra-group differences.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the pre and post-test values of respiratory parameters, anaerobic performance values and swimming measurements of the experimental groups (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between shoulder extension and flexion values (p<0.05). As for the statistical results between the pre and post-test values of the control group, no significant difference was found in any of the variables (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the post-test values of the experimental and control groups shoulder extension and flexion values (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between respiratory function parameters, anaerobic performance values and 50-100m swimming degrees (p>0.05).

Conclusions: As a result of the findings, it can be said that theraband training which is done as a land work with swimming training leads to positive effects in the upper extremity muscle strength and swimming performance development of youth swimmers.