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Swimming
Drugs In SwimmingDrugs In SwimmingHouse Of Aust.Swim. LinksAustralian Swimming LinksInvestigationSwimming InvestigationKieren PerkinsKieren PerkinsMicheal KilmMicheal KilmRebecca BrownBrown Quits Swimming|
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| Swimming Investigation |
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| The investigation was based on the contention "The members of my local Swimming Club continue swimming because of the opportunity to compete at State / National level". I investigated the influence of fitness, competition and enjoyment. I also contended that members swim because they can participate in competitive sport at an individual level in a non-threatening environment. I investigated the influences of social interaction, family influence, encouragement, age group, and gender. To investigate my contentions, I surveyed the State / National squad at my local Swimming Club on Monday 10th July 1998 at 5pm. The squad has 8 State and 12 National swimmers, 11 male and 9 females, aged between 12 -22. Swimming needs a combination of three energy systems; ATP-PC [23.95%], Lactic Acid [51.10%] and the Aerobic [24.95%]. My investigation is predominantly sprint or short distance swimming, I will look at the energy requirements of these events. The ATP-PC system provides energy for activities of short duration [up to 10 seconds] allowing maximum performance at high intensity [85-100% of maximal effort]. Without this system, fast, powerful movements like dives and turns cannot be performed. It relies on adenosine triphosphate {ATP} and creatine phosphate {CP}. In 30 seconds half this energy is replenished and a further 2-3 minutes fully replenishes this system. Activities performed quickly and repeatedly depletes ATP-PC. The Lactic acid system then supplies or supplements the energy required. This results in lactic acid which is a fatigue-causing by-product. Fatigue results in 50 metre and the end of the 100 metre events because of greater reliance on the L.A system. Lactic acid build- up is alleviated by light exercise after the event. The Aerobic systems role is replenishment of C.P store and removal of L.A in sprint events, occurring mostly at the conclusion of the event. The media investigation in electronic and print media, from 13th of July for two weeks. I analysed the coverage of swimming in print [Herald-Sun] and free to air television, I made a comparison with football to guage the difference of media's representation of both sports. Football is covered extensively with articles shown daily. Swimming results were low. Even during the Australian National Short Course Championships, swimming continued to have minimal coverage. 22 swimming articles were in the Herald-Sun with an average size 373.8cm the first week and 437.5cm in the second, football had 343 articles with an average size of 430cm with 379cm the second week. A total of 225 articles from other sports, average size of 345cm in week one and 309cm in week two. During the two weeks under investigation swimming made the back page of the newspaper once and two colored photo's were featured. The effect of this low pictorial representation is children don't get introduced visually. Swimming was shown on television 4 hours 50 minutes during the two week period, football a total coverage of 41 hours and 55 minutes. Swimming had poor coverage which suggests swimming does not rate as high as football even when major events are held in Melbourne, Australia. Implications from this analysis could impact enormously on the initial and continued participation of swimming. The media is important for elite athletes as it is a means of finding sponsorship allowing the athlete to train full time. Coverage of the Olympic games, Commonwealth games or the World games sees gold medal winners like Kieren Perkins and Michael Kilm became household names. Unfortunately in swimming the media ignores many other talented swimmers who make finals giving the indication to many swimmers that unless you win a medal you have failed. A decease in new memberships is seen after coverage in the media has stopped. Social Cultural Influences On Initial Participation Responses from survey and possible implications. Family- Swimming was introduced by parents [50%] for safety reasons. Swimming can be enjoyed and participated by all the family. The swimming clubs should continue to involve the family in swimming trips and club fundraising nights to maintain this positive family involvement. Geographical Location- travelling time and distance influences participation at training sessions, 65% travel more than 8 kilometers to train. The benefits of training appears to overcome the barrier of distance. An acceptable tradeoff for some swimmers. Other- 25% stated they continued swimming because of enjoyment. Training could be more enjoyable by having variety with cross-training and keeping up with trends so sessions don't become monotonous and repetitive. My contention has been supported, although the swimmers want to compete at a high level they enjoyed swimming without pressure in a non-threatening environment. Enjoyment- A major factor to continue swimming was the enjoyment / social aspect [25%]. The club could promote the enjoyment of becoming a member with involvement in the clubs social gatherings and competitions. This would create a club with a strong emphasis on the enjoyment for the family. Friends- The main reason for continued participation in swimming was friends [50%]. With a wide age group ranging from 12 years to 22 years all age groups have social interaction during training and on the trips the club organize. Therefore by providing social activities swimming clubs may attract more members. Competition - competition rated [15%] with most swimmers aiming to swim National [40%] or International Level [35%] Swimmers rating competition low are catered for at club and inter-club competition. Emphasis / pressure - The survey showed swimmers were aiming for high level swimming, but 75% surveyed did not want any emphasis / pressure on achievement to come from the club. Health / fitness - 30% stated fitness a contributing motivating influence on continued participation. The club could involve cross-training as a means of gaining optimum fitness that can be completed by all age groups at different levels. My contention was supported, 80% of the contention group replied they continued to swim for the opportunity to complete at State / National level. |
 skudar@hotmail.com |
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