Comparative Effect of Dry Land Aerobic and Strength Exercises In Stroke Parameters and Performance Improvement of Sprinters In Swimming Using Free Style Swim at Haramaya University

Abstract

Sprinting swimming performance highly depends up on the stroke parameter. In the present study the main objective of this study was to investigate the comparative effect of dry land aerobic exercises versus strength exercises in stroke parameters and performance enhancement of sprinters in swimming using freestyle swim at Haramaya University. The study design was experimental with control group. For this study 30 subjects (age 19-26) were selected through purposive sampling. Among them 9 female and 21 male were there as a study sample. Out of 30 subjects only 28 subjects were able to complete the study. In addition to the regular 3 days per week training, 12 weeks dry land strength and aerobic training program was delivered to the subjects. Pretest and posttest for VO₂ max, press up, broad jump, 12 minutes swimming, critical swimming speed and stroke parameter tests was conducted. The data was analyzed using spss version 20 software package. The level of significance was at 0.05. ANOVA test and post hoc LSD multi comparison was used. The posttest result showed significant difference among the groups (p ≤ 0.05) in critical swimming speed, 12 minutes swimming, VO₂max, stroke length, speed and broad jump except for stroke rate, and press up (P>0.05).

Based on the result and findings dry land aerobic and strength exercises with swimming exercises improves the performance of sprinters by improving the VO₂ max, critical swimming speed, stroke length, 12 minutes swimming and broad jump whereas stroke rate  and press up were not improved significantly. The current study concluded that the dry land aerobic and strength exercise have positive effect on sprinting swimming performance.