The Relationship of Body Mass Index and Arm Length to 50 meter freestyle swimming speed lotus aquatic club athletes in Batu city
Olivia Andiana, Arfilla Aditya Akbar, Rias Gesang Kinanti, Verlina Maya Gita

Faculty of Sport Science, University State of Malang

Abstract

Swimming is an accomplished sport that is currently developing in the community. In swimming competitions, freestyle is one of the contested numbers. Freestyle swimming is a style that uses a swinging arm movement over the surface of the water or crawl style. Freestyle swimming movements require a streamlined body position. Speed is a benchmark er goal for every athlete in undergoing a swimming race. For swimmers, maintaining ideal body condition is very important to support performance. Similarly, arm muscle strength and leg muscle strength are also influenced by a person^s BMI. Based on the need for athletes^ posture to remain ideal, researchers are trying to examine BMI and arm length in relation to b-style swimming speed. This study using purporsive sampling technique on Lotus Aquatic Club athletes. The relationship between BMI and speed was carried out using the Spearman correlation method. The relationship of arm length to speed uses the Pearson Product Moment correlation method. Then relationship between BMI and arm length uses multiple correlation methods. The results of this study indicate that there is a significant relationship between variables. This is in line with previous research which says that BMI has a significant relationship to 50 meters freestyle swimming speed, arm length has a significant relationship to 50 meters freestyle swimming speed. However, the relationship between BMI and arm length to speed was not found in previous studies. This can be used as a reference for coaches, athletes, or swimmers who will conduct training programs and pursuing the desired speed target. As well as suggestions for further research can add various other variables such as muscle strength, endurance and other body postures that can affect swimming speed.

Keywords: Body Mass Index, Arm Length, Swimming speed

Topic: Coaching and Sports Exercise