Variations in Floating Ability with Age in the Male

Abstract

One thousand and forty males between the ages of 9 and 24 years were subjected to the following four tests of notation.

1.	A tuck float (knees bent to chest, arms encircling knees, forehead on knees) with lungs fully inflated.
2.	A tuck float during normal respiration.
3.	A tuck float during maximum exhalation under water.
4.	A horizontal float on the back.

The results showed a significant decrease in the percentage of floaters from the age of 13 years onwards compared with the other age groups tested, a pronounced peak in both horizontal and tuck floating ability between the ages of 10 and 13 years, and an almost complete incapacity for horizontal floating from the age of 15 years onwards.

Inferences drawn from these results were that an increase in fat tissue occurred between the ages of 10 and 13 years; that marked variations in the acquisition and distribution of high and low density body tissues occurred between childhood and maturity; that decisions regarding the teaching of swimming at particular age levels could be based on the physiological variations apparent from the above results.