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• INVESTIGATION OF FACTORS DETERMINING PERFORMANCE AMONG COMPETITIVE SWIMMERS AND THEIR COACHES

  Tibor Papp

  Szilvia Borbély

  Melinda Bíró

  Views:

  566

  In our country, swimming is one of the most successful sports. The question arises as to what might be the key to success. What are the factors that determine effectiveness? We sought the answer to this in our research. We examined the opinions of competitive swimmers (N=63) and swimming coaches (N=27) in the Eastern Hungary region. We used a questionnaire method during the survey. We focused separately on inherited and acquired skills and the importance of the coach-athlete relationship, relying on previous literature. Based on our results, the five most important factors for success are competition and training stress tolerance, performance motivation, the ability to learn competition technique, the coach-athlete relationship, as well as parents' moral support. Based on the athletes' opinion, the most decisive factor in their success is the coach's expertise, diligence, internal motivation, and parents' support.

• Spinal Deformities and Injuries in Competitive Swimming: A Systematic Review

  Dániel Arany

  Mónika Szigethy

  Katalin Biróné Ilics

  Ferenc Ihász

  Katalin Nagyváradi

  Views:

  19

  Competitive swimming is traditionally considered a low‑impact sport; however, repetitive stroke mechanics, high training volumes, and stroke‑specific lumbar loading patterns may contribute to spinal malalignment, lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration (LDD), and low back pain (LBP). Emerging evidence suggests that these risks may be particularly relevant for adolescent and young adult swimmers who undergo early and intensive training. Our study systematically reviewed the literature on spinal posture, lumbar disc degeneration, and low back pain in competitive swimmers aged 6–25 years, and identified key risk factors and preventive strategies.

  A systematic search of Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies included cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort designs published between 2005 and 2024 that involved competitive swimmers with ≥2–3 years of training and ≥3 weekly sessions. Outcomes of interest were spinal posture abnormalities, MRI-confirmed LDD, and LBP prevalence. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

  Across studies, swimmers exhibited a higher prevalence of postural deviations—including hyperkyphosis, hyperlordosis, trunk asymmetry, and anterior pelvic tilt—compared with non-athletes. MRI-based studies consistently report elevated rates of LDD among swimmers, particularly at L4–L5 and L5–S1, with degeneration present in up to 68% of elite swimmers, compared with 29–31% of controls. LBP was identified as the second most common musculoskeletal complaint among swimmers, with an increased risk associated with greater training exposure and strokes that involve repetitive lumbar flexion–extension (e.g., butterfly, breaststroke). Contributing factors included early specialization, muscular imbalances, and technical inefficiencies. Methodological limitations included small sample sizes and predominantly cross-sectional designs.

  Competitive swimming is associated with increased rates of spinal postural abnormalities, lumbar disc degeneration, and low back pain in youth and young adult athletes. Early screening, core stabilization, stroke technique optimization, and training load management are essential to mitigate spinal stress. Longitudinal research is needed to clarify causal pathways and inform evidence-based prevention strategies.

• THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILD PROTECTION IN THE SWIMMING POOL

  Gréta Andrea Bernáth

  Melinda Bíró

  Views:

  383

  Most of the coaches have a positive, supportive attitude towards athletes. Physical and emotional abuse of children is no longer part of the pedagogical practice of coaches these days, but unfortunately, this is not always the case. We examined two sports, swimming and water polo. We were interested in what form of abuse appears among athletes. How abused athletes share their experiences and process what happened. We used a questionnaire method in the study. One hundred seventeen people participated in the research: 63 women (53.8%) and 54 men (46.2%). The results demonstrated that all types of abuse (physical, mental, physical, and sexual) occurred in the examined sample. The majority of those interviewed reported various "punishments" such as some exercise, push-ups (73.5%), or additional swimming (69.2%). Many of them (28.8%) were shamed and humiliated. 43.2% of the respondents do not consider physical or mental abuse to be acceptable, but there are some things where they are more lenient. Nearly 17 percent assume intense pressure on the head is acceptable, and 30% of athletes partially or fully agree that "the coach has the right to use physical punishment to educate and discipline the child. Respondents shared their experiences mostly with their mother (41.9%), father (26.5%), or friends (26.5%). More than half of the respondents (59.8%) tried to suppress their grievances, and many (58.1%) also believed these experiences would accompany them throughout their lives.