Relationship between Flexibility and Front Crawl Swimming Performance in Amateur Swimmers at Different Distances

Abstract

The study aimed to analyse the correlation between flexibility and performance in the front crawl stroke at different distances. Flexibility was assessed with a goniometer for the shoulder, ankle, and lumbar spine joints. Twenty-nine amateur swimmers (16 male and 13 female), aged between 17 and 33, participated in the study. Three-time trials were conducted at different distances (25-, 50-, and 100-meter front crawl swimming), and swimming velocity, stroke rate, and stroke length were calculated. Isolated moderate correlations between groups, joints, variables, and distances suggest some influence of flexibility on performance. For example, the inverse correlation between horizontal abduction and shoulder extension with the SL for males at distances of 25 and 50m. However, most variables showed weak, non-significant relationships, indicating that, for most joints, normal levels of flexibility are sufficient for practising the sport. There may be other factors that have a more significant influence on the performance of amateur swimmers.