Abstract

The main  objective of this article is to highlight the components of anthropometry, biomotor abilities, and skills related to the identification and development of young athletes’ talent and to propose several possible solutions that practitioners and researchers can consider to optimize talent identification. A  total of 60 Intermediate First students were recruited and tested for anthropometry, biomotor abilities, and skills. The subjects selected for this study were chosen based on the criteria that they had participated in extracurricular swimming activities and could swim freestyle for 50 meters. The  results show that anthropometry is an important factor, with the following values: height (TB) 0.895a, lean body weight (BBTL) 0.832a, leg length (PTU) 0.819a, hand length (PTA) 0.738a, arm span (RL) 0.705a, and body weight (BB) 0.682a. The  biomotor values are as follows: explosive power of leg muscles (DLOT) 0.896a, left ankle dorsiflexion (ADFKI) 0.797a, leg muscle strength (KOT) 0.701a, right ankle dorsiflexion (ADFKA) 0.683a, explosive power of arm muscles (DLOL) 0.638a, arm muscle strength (KOL) 0.637a, left ankle plantar flexion (APLKA) 0.514a, and right ankle plantar flexion (APLKI) 0.545a. Several  skill characteristics that significantly influence bi-fin swimming athletes’ talents include breathing using a snorkel (BMS) 0.579a, swimming 100 meters using a snorkel and fins (B100) 0.532a, and underwater kicking for 15 meters (UW15) 0.500a. These findings provide proof that components of anthropometry (BB, TB, PTU, PTA, RL, and BBTL), biomotor abilities (KOT, ADFKI, ADFKA, APFKI, APFKA, KOL, DLOT, and DLOL), and skills (BMS, B100, and UW15) related to the identification and development of young athletes’ talent in finswimming (bi-fins) can provide solutions and a strong foundation to support the development of athletes’ talent. However, further research is required to confirm and validate this finding.

Keywords

anthropometrics, biomotor, finswimming skills, talent