Comparative Analysis Of Resistance Band And Swim Parachute Belt Training On The Enhancement Of 50m Butterfly Stroke Swimming Speed

Abstract

The butterfly stroke is widely recognized as one of the most physically demanding swimming styles, requiring exceptional explosive power, muscular endurance, and high-level inter-muscular coordination. Competitive swimmers frequently encounter performance plateaus due to an absence of specific resistance in their conditioning programs. This study aims to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two distinct resistance training modalities—Resistance Band (dry-land) and Swim Parachute Belt (in-water)—on enhancing the 50-meter butterfly stroke speed. Utilizing a quantitative experimental method with an "Ordinal Pairing" pre-test and post-test design, twenty competitive swimmers from the Krakatau Atlantik Cilegon Club were purposively sampled. Participants were divided into two equal groups of ten, undergoing a specialized 16-session training program over a four-week period. Data were obtained through rigorous pre-test and post-test measurements of 50M butterfly swimming times using standardized chronometers. Statistical analysis involved prerequisite tests (Shapiro-Wilk for normality, Levene for homogeneity), followed by hypothesis testing utilizing Paired Sample and Independent T-Tests. Results indicated that Resistance Band training significantly improved speed (mean improvement = 3.086 seconds, p = 0.001), as did Swim Parachute Belt training (mean improvement = 2.167 seconds, p = 0.001). However, the Independent T-Test revealed no statistically significant difference in performance gains between the two modalities (p = 0.791). These findings robustly suggest both tools are equally effective in enhancing the power and propulsive force necessary for elite butterfly stroke performance. Coaches are advised to integrate both methods to prevent physiological adaptation and maximize power output.