The effects of swimming frequency and intensity on selected physical fitness components.

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the effects of swimming at two frequencies and two intensities on predicted maximal oxygen uptake, strength, flexibility, total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, and low-density lipoproteins. The study consisted of 60 college students enrolled in classes at Morehead State University during the fall of 1989. The subjects were randomly selected from an advanced swimming class and an intermediate swimming class. The control group was selected from a Personal Health class. The pretest-posttest design study consisted of 14 weeks of supervised training. Improvements in VO max. were determined by a bicycle ergometer test; grip strength was evaluated using the hand grip dynamometer; flexibility was scored using the sit and reach test, and total cholesterol and the lipoprotein fractions were determined using the Smith Kline Bio-Science Laboratories. The.05 level was utilized to determine significance. Means and standard deviations were calculated for all physical characteristics and dependant variables. A one-way analysis of variance was computed to determine if there was a difference between the three groups; a Scheffe was computed to identify the group differences where a significant F ratio was obtained. Statistical treatment revealed that there were no significant differences in predicted VO max., grip strength, flexibility, total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins or low-density lipoproteins between the three groups: Group A, 70% intensity, three days per week; Group B, 60% intensity, two days per week, or Group C, Control.