Correlation Between Shoulder Muscle Power and 50-m Freestyle Swimming Speed: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Shoulder muscle power plays a critical role in generating propulsive force during freestyle swimming, particularly over short-distance events in which maximal speed must be achieved within a limited time frame. Although previous studies have examined upper-limb strength in swimmers, evidence on the association between shoulder power and 50-m freestyle performance among swimmers in West Kalimantan remains limited.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the correlation between shoulder muscle power and 50-m freestyle swimming speed among competitive swimmers in West Kalimantan.
Methods: A cross-sectional design was used involving 20 swimmers recruited through purposive sampling from the Bintang Khatulistiwa Swimming Club. Shoulder muscle power was assessed using a 3-kg medicine ball throw test, and 50-m freestyle swimming speed was measured with a stopwatch. All measurements were conducted at Sultan Syarif Abdurrahman Stadium and Oevang Oeray Swimming Pool in February 2024. Spearman’s rho was employed to examine the relationship between shoulder muscle power and swimming speed.
Results: A significant negative correlation was found between shoulder muscle power and 50-m freestyle swimming speed (r = –0.787, p < 0.001), indicating that greater throwing distance was associated with shorter swimming time. These findings suggest that swimmers with higher shoulder muscle power are more capable of producing effective propulsion, thereby achieving faster performance.
Conclusion: Shoulder muscle power is significantly associated with 50-m freestyle swimming speed among competitive swimmers in West Kalimantan. Assessment and enhancement of shoulder power may be valuable for coaches and athletes seeking to optimize sprint freestyle performance.