Affiliations: [a] Sports Performance and Coaching Laboratory, Department
of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,
Greece
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Theophanis Siatras, Department of
Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,
54006, Greece. Tel.: +30 2310 992179; E-mail: fsiatras@phed.auth.gr
Abstract: In sprint swimming, thigh muscles strength and body composition may
contribute to the development of a good performance in the water. The present
study describes the relationship between lean body mass (LBM) and isokinetic
peak torque (PT) of knee extensor and flexor muscles in male (n = 31) and
female (n = 22) competitive swimmers aged 10 to 12 years. Skinfold thickness
measurements for percent body fat and LBM were recorded. Isokinetic testing
consisted of concentric knee extensions and flexions at
60°/s, 120°/s and
180°/s. High correlation coefficients (Pearson's r:
0.765–0.890, p < 0.001) indicated a strong relationship between LBM and
knee muscles strength at all angular velocities. Using linear regression
analysis, PT could be predicted from the LBM for this particular age and sex
groups. However, a simple linear model between LBM and PT could not be
constituted as complementary biological parameters, such as flexibility and
muscular endurance could also account for the variability.
Keywords: lean body mass, isokinetic, concentric, peak torque, prediction, swimming
