TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of Swimming Exercise on Early Adolescents’ Physical Conditioning and Physical Health
T2 - A Systematic Review
AU - Ferreira, Francisco A.
AU - Santos, Catarina C.
AU - Palmeira, António L.
AU - Fernandes, Ricardo J.
AU - Costa, Mário J.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 by the authors.
PY - 2024/9/4
Y1 - 2024/9/4
N2 - Background/Objectives: Swimming is a popular and cost-effective way to prevent sedentary behavior and improve physical conditioning and health during early adolescence. However, information on its impact and benefits on daily life activities is lacking. This systematic review aims to summarize the chronic effects of swimming on physical conditioning and physical health outcomes in early adolescents. Methods: The PRISMA 2020 guidelines were followed and PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and International Symposium of Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming proceedings databases were searched. Eligibility criteria were defined on the PICOS framework (healthy adolescents in early puberty, swimming programmes or training, passive or active control groups, general effects on physical conditioning or health, longitudinal) and risk of bias was assessed using RoBANS 2. Results: From 2365 records, 20 non-randomized studies met the defined criteria. High heterogeneity in sample size and intervention was observed. While studies related to physical conditioning (n = 5) focused on physiological variables and muscular function, the evidence regarding physical health outcomes (n = 15) explored bone accrual, haemodynamics, body composition, musculoskeletal system, and lung growth. High overall risk of bias (70%) was observed due to strict criteria. Conclusions: Swimming exercise seems to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiac output, haemodynamics, heart growth, motor performance, and body composition of early adolescents. Despite clear evidence that exists on these chronic effects, research on bone health, postural deficit, motor skills, and sleep quality is still missing.
AB - Background/Objectives: Swimming is a popular and cost-effective way to prevent sedentary behavior and improve physical conditioning and health during early adolescence. However, information on its impact and benefits on daily life activities is lacking. This systematic review aims to summarize the chronic effects of swimming on physical conditioning and physical health outcomes in early adolescents. Methods: The PRISMA 2020 guidelines were followed and PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and International Symposium of Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming proceedings databases were searched. Eligibility criteria were defined on the PICOS framework (healthy adolescents in early puberty, swimming programmes or training, passive or active control groups, general effects on physical conditioning or health, longitudinal) and risk of bias was assessed using RoBANS 2. Results: From 2365 records, 20 non-randomized studies met the defined criteria. High heterogeneity in sample size and intervention was observed. While studies related to physical conditioning (n = 5) focused on physiological variables and muscular function, the evidence regarding physical health outcomes (n = 15) explored bone accrual, haemodynamics, body composition, musculoskeletal system, and lung growth. High overall risk of bias (70%) was observed due to strict criteria. Conclusions: Swimming exercise seems to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiac output, haemodynamics, heart growth, motor performance, and body composition of early adolescents. Despite clear evidence that exists on these chronic effects, research on bone health, postural deficit, motor skills, and sleep quality is still missing.
KW - longitudinal
KW - physical fitness
KW - sports medicine
KW - swimming
KW - youth
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85205046209&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/jfmk9030158
DO - 10.3390/jfmk9030158
M3 - Article
C2 - 39311266
AN - SCOPUS:85205046209
SN - 2411-5142
VL - 9
JO - Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
JF - Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
IS - 3
M1 - 158
ER -