Abstract

The aim of the work was to elucidate the level of physical development, physical fitness and some of the vegetative functions and correlation of these traits in with special performance in junior swimmers. The study objects were the physical development, physical fitness and some of the vegetative and psychomotor functions of junior swimmers. The study cohort comprised Lithuanian swimmers (28 boys) who were preparing for starts in various international contests. Group 1 contained 16 candidates of the junior national team (age, 16-18 years) and group 2 contained 12 candidates of the juvenile national team (age, 14-15 years). The results showed that swimmers in group 1 were on average 8.45 cm higher than swimmers from group 2; the difference was statistically reliable. Body mass was on average 13.07 kg less (p < 0.001) in group 2 swimmers. Muscular mass differed by 7.99 kg (p < 0.001). Hand force differed only by 2.5 kg, the difference being statistically not reliable. The mean values of high jump, psychomotor response time, movement frequency showed no essential differences. Both the absolute and relative (per kg of body mass) single muscular contraction indices exhibited reliable differences (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01). The absolute indices of anaerobic alactic muscular power were reliable higher in group 1, and the relative indices showed no essential differences. The absolute indices of 60s special performance (glycolitic) power were also higher in group 1 (p < 0.05), and relative indices were almost similar (insignificantly higher in group 2). The functional capacity indices of the circulatory system showed no essential differences between the groups. Both in group 1 and 2, the Roufier index scatter area was very large. A correlation study revealed (Table 2) a dose relation of special performance on a special swimmers’ ergometer (for aims) with absolute body mass and muscular mass indices (r = 0.55, p < 0.01 and 0.59, p < 0,001) (Fig.1), as well as with the absolute single muscular contraction indices (Figs 2, 3) (r = 0.50 and r = 0.51, p,0.01) and a reliable relation with the relative SMCP indices (r = 0.38, p < 0.05). Muscular mass had very strong relations with the absolute values of the SMCP and AAMP indices (r = 0.74 and r = 0.83, p < 0.001) and strong relation with hand force (r = 0.53, p0.01), however, in junior athletes hand force had no relation with a 60-s special arm performance. Verf.-Referat