Somatotype and Swimming Performance of National Level Male Swimmers in India

The purpose of the study was to find out Somatotype and Swimming Performance of National-level Male Swimmers in India. Sixty-one (N=61) men, in the age group of eighteen to twenty-five (18 to 25) years, were selected from the pertinent population using recommended sampling procedures at various coaching camps in India and who had been National level competitive swimmers for the last few years. Heath Carter Somatotype method was used for somatotyping and the sites to be measured for the calculation of somatotype were Height (cm), Weight (Kg), skinfold thickness such as, Triceps (mm), Subscapular (mm), Supraspinale (mm), Calf (mm), Breadths such as, Humerus (cm), Femur (cm) and girth include Upper arm (cm) and Calf (cm). The result indicates that for Backstroke (Balanced Endomorph), for Breaststroke (Mesomorphic-Ectomorph), For Butterfly (Balanced Endomorph, Mesomorphic-Endomorph) and for Freestyle (Balanced Mesomorph) had taken less time than other somatotypes. So, it is clear that the shape and size of the body are strictly influencing throughout the competition especially at the time finishing. So, while training swimmers, attention should be given for developing a suitable somatotype for each swimming stroke category.