Are there differences in anaerobic relative muscle power between upper and lower limbs in adolescent swimmers: A blinded study

Success in speed swimming depends on the efficiency of the anaerobic system for the production of cellular energy, especially during muscle power production. In the adolescent athletes much is unknown with regards to the relationships between relative power of upper and lower limbs with speed swimming performance. The aim the present study was to identify differences in relative muscle power of upper and lower limbs in adolescent swimmers and relate these to speed swimming performances. Sixty adolescents, of both sexes (50% female, 50% male, 30 swimmers and 30 controls), were recruited. The relative upper limb power (ULP[W/kg]) was assessed by a medicine ball test and the relative lower limbs power (LLP[W/kg]) by a jump test on a jumping platform. Lean mass of the upper and lower limbs was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (g). Sport performance was assessed during national level competition (50-m swimming time [in seconds]). Biological maturation (BM) was indexed by years from attainment of peak height velocity. ULP(W/kg) was higher than LLP(W/kg) in both groups (p < 0.05). Upper and lower limb lean mass (g) correlated significantly with ULP(W/kg) and LLP(W/kg) in both groups (p < 0.05). ULP(W/kg) and LLP(W/kg) correlated with 50-m swimming performance (s), in both sexes (p < 0.05). Advanced BM was associated with ULP(W/kg) and LLP(W/kg) in both groups (p < 0.05), and with 50-m swimming performance (s) in both sexes (p < 0.05). We concluded that ULP(W/kg) is higher than LLP ((W/kg)) in adolescent swimmers. Upper and lower limb lean mass and BM were both positively associated with increased ULP ((W/kg)) and LLP ((W/kg)).