Investigation of the effects of regular swimming training applied to school-age children on some anthropometric, motoric characteristics and swimming performance

This study was conducted to examine the effects of regular swimming training on certain anthropometric, motoric characteristics, and swimming performance in school-aged children. Fourteen athletes from Isparta Academy Sports Club, with an average age of 9.57±1.39 years, who regularly train at the Süleyman Demirel University 29th October Olympic Swimming Pool, voluntarily participated in the study. Some anthropometric and motoric characteristics of the athletes participating in the swimming training were measured. The pre-test and post-test measurement results obtained from the athletes participating in the swimming training were transferred to a computer environment using the SPSS 18 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) program. The pre-test and post-test data obtained from the swimming courses attended by the athletes were evaluated using the "Paired t-Test" within-group comparison in the SPSS 18 program (p<0.05). As a result of the analyses, statistically significant differences were found in the circumference measurements (left arm, right arm, left forearm, right forearm, chest, hip, left quadriceps, right quadriceps), subcutaneous fat measurements (biceps), strength measurements (back strength, leg strength), flexibility, and performance measurements (twenty-five meters, one hundred meters, and two hundred meters) in school-aged children participating in swimming training. Keywords: Swimming, performance, training, anthropometric characteristics, motoric characteristics