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Notes
- Abstract:
- Competitive swimming includes four strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. It is estimated that the average swimmer performs more than one million strokes per year which equates to six kicks per stroke cycle in the freestyle and back stroke, two kicks per stroke in the butterfly and one kick per stoke in the breaststroke. Extensive research has been done on the range of motion and flexibility of the shoulders of swimmers but minimal research has been done on the hip. The purpose of this study was to compare the hip and pelvic joint flexibility between recreationally active non-swimmers and collegiate swimmers, and between freestyle/back stroke swimmers (FS/BA) and breast stroke/butterfly stroke swimmers (BF/BR). The participants were tested using, the passive straight leg raise to measure hip joint flexibility (HJ), the sit and reach test to measure pelvic joint flexibility (PJ) and a test to measure internal rotation of the hip (IR). Each test was video-taped and analyzed using Dartfish Software to determine maximal range of motion of the joints. It was hypothesized that the swimmers would be more flexible than the non-swimmers on all three tests and that butterfly and breast stroke swimmers would be more flexible than the freestyle and back stroke swimmers on all three measures. Independent tests were completed to determine if there was a difference between mean values. The results indicated that swimmers were less flexible in both the HJ (97.0 ± 15.6° vs 108.7 ± 15.2°, p < 0.02) and PJ (99.9 ± 7.3° vs 111.9 ± 7.4°, p < .0001). IR did not differ between swimmers and non-swimmers (51.8 ± 12.8° vs 49.3 ± 10.4°, p = .48). When the FS/BA swim group was compared to the BF/BR swim group, no difference was found in HJ (94.0 ± 16.4° vs 104.0 ± 11.8°, p = .19) or PJ (100.6 ± 8.3° vs 98.4 ± 4.6°, p = .56). However, there was a trend for IR to be higher in the FS group (52.3 ± 14.3° vs 50.6 ± 9.5°, p = .79). An explanation for this is that swimmers are constantly hyperextended in the lower back to maintain proper stroke form, which may cause shortened or tight pelvic and hip muscles. Because no difference was observed between swimming groups, this may be the effect in all types of competitive swimmers. Practical application of this information would be that swimmers should train with flexibility exercises to increase the range of motion of the pelvis, hip and lower back to decrease risk of injury and improve overall mobility.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (M.S.)--Barry University, 2014.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-80).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Katelyn K. Foley. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- GV837.9 .F65 2014_FoleyKatelyn ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- GV837.9 .F65 2014 ( lcc )
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