PROGRAMA EJERCICIOS PLIOMÉTRICOS EN LA MEJORA DEL ESTILO CROL EN ESTUDIANTES DEL 5°B DE SECUNDARIA EN LA INSTITUCIÓN EDUCATIVA JULIO ARMANDO RUIZ VASQUEZ AMARILIS - 2025

Abstract

The essential objective of this research was to determine the effectiveness of a plyometric exercise program in improving the front crawl stroke among 5th-grade "B" secondary students at the Julio Armando Ruiz Vásquez Educational Institution in Amarilis – 2025. The front crawl stroke is a coordinated action of the arms, legs, and trunk aimed at achieving the maximum displacement speed of the athlete through the water. This style is divided into four phases: displacement, pull, push, and recovery. Each sporting gesture is determined by the activity of the primary motor muscles; in every movement, the swimmer develops the deltoids, rhomboids, trapezius, triceps brachii, biceps brachii, flexor carpi ulnaris, extensor carpi ulnaris, iliopsoas, quadriceps, and triceps surae. As an individual response to physiological limitations associated with race pace, water resistance, and swimming speed, the swimmer increased the coordination index between the extremities and breathing.

The methodology followed a quantitative approach, of an applied type and explanatory level, employing a pre-experimental design with pre-test and post-test. The population and sample consisted of 34 students, selected through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. For data collection, the systematic observation technique was used, with a checklist as the instrument featuring a four-level ordinal scale, whose reliability was validated through Cronbach's Alpha (0.84).

The main findings demonstrated a significant shift in technical performance; while in the pre-test 52.9% of the students were at the "Beginning" level, in the post-test 58.8% reached the "Achieved" level and 20.6% the "Outstanding" level. The conclusion was reached that the systematic application of plyometric exercises had a favorable impact on swimming power and coordination. The results validated the hypothesis that jump training outside the water substantially improves the execution of the front crawl stroke.