Anthropometric and muscle strength evaluation in prepubescent and pubescent swimmer boys and girls*

Anthropometric and muscle strength evaluation in prepubescent and pubescent swimmers and muscle strength and body composition are important for a better sporting performance. The objective of this study was to describe and to compare anthropometrical and muscle strength aspects of prepubescent and pubescent swimmer boys and girls. Forty-eight healthy competitive swimmers participated in this study. Among them, 11 boys were prepubescent (PP) and 16 were pubescent (PU) and 8 girls were PP and 13 PU. The anthropometrical data studied were body weight, stature, skinfolds and circumferences. A computerized dynamometer (Cybex Norm) was used to isokinetic (60 and 90o.s-1) and isometric strength measurements (45 and 60o) of knee extension (KE) and isokinetic (60 and 90o.s-1) and isometric (60 and 90o) strength of elbow flexion (EF). There were no differences between PP boys and girls in muscle strength. In PU group, the boys were stronger than girls in all KE and EF tests. This difference was shown in almost all tests when adjusted by body weight (except in KE isometric tests, where values were similar between boys and girls). PU boys and girls were stronger than PP in all tests and this difference was shown in almost all tests, when adjusted by body weight (except in KE isometric tests, where PU and PP girls were not different). These results show the anthropometrical and muscle strength pattern in swimmer children and adolescents.