Are dry-land measurements and their asymmetries related to swimming performance?

Abstract

This study aimed to verify the correlations between variables obtained from dry-land tests and swimming performance, in addition to examining the associations between the dry-land asymmetries and swimming performance. Thirty-seven male swimmers performed a test battery, including shoulder isokinetic torque, shoulder range of motion (ROM), vertical jump, anthropometric, and in-water force tests. Additionally, the best official performance in the events of 50 and 200 m front crawl was obtained. Interlimb asymmetries were calculated for all tested metrics, and Pearson and Spearman's correlations were used to determine the association between the metrics (and their asymmetries) and swimming performance. Results showed that most of the dry-land metrics were significantly associated with 50 m front crawl (r = -0.59 to -0.83) and 200 m front crawl (r = -0.48 to -0.62) performance and with peak force at tethered swimming (r = 0.54 -0.80), except the ROM test (r = -0.22 -0.33). None of the asymmetries originating from the dry-land tests were significantly correlated with swimming performance (ρ = -0.29 -0.34). In conclusion, most dry-land outcomes measured are related to swimming performance, while the dry-land inter-limb asymmetries are not.