A eficiência propulsiva e a performance em nadadores não experts.

Propulsive efficiency and non- expert swimmers performance.

SWIMMERS; PHYSICAL biochemistry; SWIMMING techniques; BIOMECHANICS; ATHLETES; SWIMMING competitions; WOMEN swimmers

Propulsive efficiency is one of the most interesting issues for competitive swimming researchers, has it presents significant relationships with the swimmer's biophysical behavior and his/her performance. Although propulsive efficiency is a variable that has been quite studied in elite swimmers, there is no research on this issue in young and non-expert swimmers. Thus, the aim of this study was to: (i) estimate the propulsive efficiency on non-expert swimmers; (ii) identify biomechanical and anthropometrical parameters that are associated with propulsive efficiency; (iii) identify the association between the propulsive efficiency and swim performance. Twenty-eight non-expert swimmers participated on this study. It was assessed the propulsive efficiency, biomechanical and anthropometrical parameters, as well as, the swim performance. The propulsive efficiency of non-expert swimmers is lower than data reported in the literature to higher competitive levels swimmers and there are no significant differences between boys and girls. It was also noted that several biomechanical and anthropometrical parameters, as well as, the swim performance are associated with the propulsive efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

O estudo da eficiência propulsiva é um dos assuntos mais interessantes para os investigadores em natação pura desportiva, já que apresenta uma relação directa no comportamento biofísico do nadador e na sua performance. Apesar de ser uma variável que tem sido bastante estudada em nadadores de elevado nível competitivo, não há nenhuma investigação sobre esta temática em jovens nadadores não experts. Assim, o objectivo deste estudo foi: (i) estimar a eficiência propulsiva em nadadores não experts; (ii) identificar os factores biomecânicos e antropométricos que estão associados à eficiência propulsiva e; (iii) identificar a associação entre a eficiência propulsiva e a performance. Vinte e oito nadadores não experts, praticantes regulares de natação numa Escola Municipal participaram neste estudo. Foram avaliados a eficiência propulsiva, parâmetros biomecânicos, antropométricos e a performance de nado. Os principais resultados encontrados mostram que a eficiência propulsiva de nadadores não experts é inferior à descrita na literatura para nadadores de outros níveis competitivos e que não há diferenças significativas entre os dois sexos. Foi também verificado que vários parâmetros biomecânicos, antropométricos, assim como, a performance estão associados com a eficiência propulsiva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Motricidade is the property of Silabas Didaticas LDA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)