Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a 3-year swimming training programme on body fat measurements in adolescent girls, without prior selection. METHOD: Two groups of 10-year-old girls were analysed at the beginning of the study (4th grade in primary school). The experimental group consisted of 14 swimmers (body mass: 34.99 ± 2.77 kg; height: 146.00 ± 3.05 cm). The control group consisted of 14 girls (body mass: 37.93 ± 6.02 kg; height: 145.55 ± 3.88 cm) who only participated in mandatory physical education classes. The study was conducted over a period of 3 years, with measurements taken every 6 months. Body fat was measured through the thickness of skinfolds at four anatomical locations: above the biceps; above the triceps; below the lower angle of the scapula; and above the superior iliac crest. Based on these measurements, the percentage of body fat was calculated. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that despite the lack of initial selection, there was no significant difference in the percentage of body fat between the experimental and control groups at the start of the study-18.62% vs 24.85%. This difference persisted until the final measurement after 3 years, at which point it became statistically significant-17.31% vs 27.14% (F = 37.44, p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Our findings indicate that 3 years of swimming training in adolescent girls resulted in a reduction in fat tissue growth across all four measurement sites. Initially, body fat percentage had a strong negative impact on VO(2) max, particularly in the experimental group. However, this effect diminished in both groups over the course of the study. CONCLUSION: Swimming may be an effective means of preventing obesity. Coaches should consider a slim physique in swimming candidates.