Davorin Okiljević, Darko Stojanović, Ashrf N. Abohllala

The basic aim of this research was to analyze the influence of recreational swimming content on the functional abilities of students. The research was carried out on a sample of 216 male students of the University of Niš, divided into 2 subsamples, 104 of which made up the experimental group which incorporated swimming content in their exercise and 112 who belonged to the control group which did not take part in any recreational activities. In order to evaluate the functional abilities of the students, the following tests were used: vital lung capacity, resting heart rate, absolute maximal oxygen uptake, relative maximal oxygen uptake and maximal anaerobic capacity. By applying a recreational swimming program for the duration of a semester, the experimental group achieved an increase in their functional abilities. It was noted in the increase in vital lung capacity (4.8%) and absolute (3.0%) and relative (4.3%) maximal oxygen uptake, as well as a reduction in resting heart rate (-2.2%), which justifies the implementation of these types of exercises in recreational programs for the development of these abilities. In the case of the control group, a reduction in maximal aerobic capacity was noted, as was an increase in resting heart rate.

Keywords: recreational program, swimming, functional abilities, students

Download PDF: THE FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES OF STUDENTS