Does Big Pull-Up and Pull-Down Strength Boost Performance in Female Swimmers
Or is one better than the other for developing a strong swim-stroke.
An oldie but a goody, this study investigated the correlations between pull-up performance, lat-pull repetitions, and one-repetition maximum (1RM) lat-pull strength among elite female swimmers.
Key Points
Study Design and Participants
The study involved 28 elite women swimmers from an NCAA Division II championship team.
Participants were assessed for their maximum number of free-hanging pull-ups, 1RM lat-pull, and lat-pull repetitions at 80% of their 1RM.
Anthropometric measurements included arm lengths, body fat percentage, and lean body mass.
Findings
Correlations:
A moderate correlation was found between pull-ups and 1RM lat-pull, indicating that while there is a relationship, it is not strong.
Pull-ups were negatively correlated with body mass, suggesting heavier body composition may hinder pull-up performance.
The 1RM lat-pull showed significant correlations with body mass and lean body mass, but not with body fat percentage.
Predictive Models:
The product of pull-ups and body mass (PU × BM) was a strong predictor of 1RM lat-pull.
Including body fat percentage in the regression analysis improved the prediction.
Lat-Pull Repetitions:
Lat-pull repetitions did not correlate significantly with pull-ups or anthropometric dimensions, indicating that lat-pull repetitions may not be a reliable measure of pulling strength.
Conclusion
The study concludes that while pull-ups and lat-pulls target similar muscle groups, they are not interchangeable exercises. The relationship between these two exercises is weak, suggesting that training programs should incorporate both to develop shoulder strength effectively.
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