Correlation between swimming pool water quality and physical fitness of swimmers aged 13–15 years

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between swimming pool water quality and swimmers' physical fitness, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good water quality for optimal health and performance. The research was conducted at the Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP) indoor swimming pool, involving 30 male junior high school swimmers aged 13-15, with varying swimming abilities. Water samples were collected from a depth of 20 cm at one point near the pool's edge during two observation periods (morning and afternoon). Bacterial colonies were counted using Nutrient Agar medium to assess water contamination. Physical fitness was measured using the Tes Kebugaran Jasmani Pelajar Nusantara (TKPN) instrument, which included tests for flexibility, strength, and endurance. In Observation I, the pool water met health standards with no bacterial contamination. However, in Observation II, bacterial contamination was detected in the afternoon, with a count of 5,103 CFU/mL, exceeding the standard threshold. Physical fitness tests revealed that most swimmers were in the "C" (Satisfactory) category, with a smaller percentage in the "A" (Excellent) and "B" (Good) categories. Correlation analysis found a significant negative relationship between pool water quality and fitness test results (p < 0.05). This study underscores the need for regular monitoring of swimming pool water quality to ensure swimmer health and performance, and calls for further research with larger, more diverse samples to deepen understanding of this relationship.