ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was compared and correlate kinematics and physiological parameters in four maximal swimming tests of two groups of young swimmers. Methods: Twelve swimmers, separated in two groups by age (percentile > 50th (n = 6): 15.4 ± 1.11 years old as group 1, and < 50th (n = 6): 12.1 ± 0.83 as group 2) performed four tests during two different sessions. They performed front crawl trials at maximum intensity: 50 and 200 meters on first day and 100 and 400 m meters on second day. Anthropometric characteristics were measured. Stroke rate, stroke length, stroke index, swimming speed and critical speed were obtained by video analysis. Moreover, were measured the blood lactate concentration, heart rate and rate of perceived exertion. Results: There are no differences at anthropometric characteristics. We found difference between group 1 and group 2. Better results for performance, swimming speed, stroke length and stroke index in group 1. Swimming speed and stroke index show strong correlation in all tests for group 1 and in 50 and 100 meters for group 2. To measure the swimmer profile is essential to verify the benefits that the training program is or is not providing. Conclusion: The parameters evaluated seem related to age and capacities of the swimmers.

OBJETIVOS: Comparar a ativação elétrica do reto femoral (RF), do bíceps femoral cabeça longa (BF) e semitendíneo (ST) e o torque de resistência (T R) do movimento de extensão de quadril (EQ) realizado com a mola fixada em duas posições distintas no Cadillac. MÉTODOS: 12 sujeitos realizaram 5 repetições de EQ com a mola fixada em duas posições (alta e baixa). Dados de eletromiografia (EMG) e eletrogoniometria foram coletados simultaneamente. O root mean square foi calculado e normalizado com base na contração voluntária máxima. Para o cálculo do T R, foram usados diagramas de corpo livre (DCL) e equações de movimento. ANOVA one-way foi usada para verificar as diferenças para EMG entre as posições de mola (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: Com a mola fixa na posição alta, o T R foi classificado como decrescente e ocorreu no "sentido" de flexão na maior parte da amplitude de movimento (ADM). Para posição baixa, o T R foi descrescente até 60º de flexão de quadril no sentido de flexão e, a partir daí, assumiu um comportamento crescente no sentido da extensão. CONCLUSÕES: A análise EMG pareceu acompanhar o T R, apresentando valores maiores para o RF na posição baixa e maiores valores de ativação para o BF e ST na posição alta, onde a demanda externa foi maior. Dados de EMG e T R fornecem informações complementares para prescrição de exercícios no Pilates.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the electrical activation of the rectus femoris (RF), long head of the biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinosus (ST) and the resistance torque (T R) of the hip extension (HE) movement performed on the Pilates Cadillac with the attachable spring in two different positions. METHODS: Twelve subjects performed five hip extensions with the attachable spring in two positions (high and low). Electromyography (EMG) and electrogoniometry data were colleted simultaneously. The root mean square (RMS) was calculated and normalized based on the maximal voluntary contraction. A free-body diagram (FBD) and movement equations were used to calculate T R. One-way ANOVA was used to investigate EMG differences between spring positions (p<0.05). RESULTS: When the spring was in the high position, T R was classified as descending and occurred in the "direction" of flexion over most of the range of motion (ROM). In the low position, T R descended until 60º of hip flexion, in the direction of flexion, and from there it took on an ascending pattern in the direction of extension. CONCLUSIONS: The EMG analysis seemed to follow the T R, with higher values for the RF in the low position and higher activation values for the BF and ST in the high position, where the external demand was greater. EMG and T R data supply complementary information for prescribing Pilates exercises.