The differences effects of lunges vs. squats exercise programs on the swimming speed 50-meters butterfly style: a quasi-experimental study

Objective: This study aims to investigate the impact of lunges vs. squats exercise on the swimming speed of the 50-meter
butterfly stroke among athletes aged 10-13 in KU III and IV categories. Approach: An experimental method employing a two-group pretest and post-test design was utilized. The study population consisted of athletes affiliated with the SeaRia Aquatic swimming association.
Purposive sampling was employed, selecting male swimmers aged 10-13 who were members of the Searia Aquatic swimming club and
willing to participate in training during the study. Twenty athletes met the inclusion criteria. The speed test was conducted using the 50-
meter butterfly stroke. Statistical data analysis was performed using t-test with SPSS 25 software, employing a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The analysis revealed significant effects: (1) lunge training demonstrated a significant improvement in the swimming speed of the
50-meter butterfly stroke among athletes aged 10-13 at the SeaRia Aquatic swimming association (t-count = 6.046, t-table = 2.23, P <
0.05); (2) similarly, squat training led to a significant enhancement in the swimming speed of the 50-meter butterfly stroke among the same
age group at the SeaRia Aquatic swimming association (t-count = 6.086, t-table = 2.23, P < 0.05). Collectively, both lunges and squats
positively influenced swimming speed in the 50-meter butterfly stroke among athletes aged 10-13 affiliated with the Searia Aquatic swimming association. Conclusion: This study underscores the beneficial effects of incorporating lunges vs. squats into training regimens for
young athletes aiming to improve their swimming performance, particularly in the butterfly stroke. This study found that squats are more
effective than lunges in improving performance in the butterfly swimming stroke. These findings offer valuable insights for coaches, trainers,
and athletes interested in enhancing their competitive edge in swimming, particularly in butterfly style.
Keywords: Lunges; Squat training; exercise; swimming butterfly; 50-meters