Table 2 Summary of maximal strength and explosive power relevant measures and major findings of the reviewed studies

Amara et al. 2021 [2]

1RM push-up

1RM push-up significant negative correlation with 25 and 50 m front crawl (r =  − 0.968, r =  − 0.955), and the 25 or 50 m front crawl with arms (r =  − 0.955, r = -0.941)

Dos Santos et al. 2021 [15]

PFA

PFA amongst best predictors of 50 m freestyle performance in backwards regression analysis greater PFA were conducive to performance

García-Ramos et al. 2016 [23]

SJ, CMJ, isometric strength

TOV and PP normalised to BW of SJ negatively correlated with time to 5 m (r = -0.56; p < 0.05, r = -0.57; p < 0.01). TOV and PP normalised to BW of CMJ negatively correlated with time to 5 m (r = -0.62; p < 0.01, r = -0.61; p < 0.01) and time to 10 m (r = -0.49; p < 0.05, r = -0.55; p < 0.05) Loaded SJ PP normalised to BW negatively correlated with time to 5 m, 10 m and 15 m at; 25%BW (r = -0.62; p < 0.01, r = -0.55; p < 0.05, r = -0.57; p < 0.01), 50%BW (r = -0.63; p < 0.01, r = -0.51; p < 0.05, r = -0.54; p < 0.05), 75%BW (r = -0.57; p < 0.01, r = -0.54; p < 0.05, r = -0.64; p < 0.01), 100%BW (r = -0.54; p < 0.05, r = -0.47; p < 0.05, r = -0.64, p < 0.01). Loaded SJ PV negatively correlated with time to 5 m, 10 m and 15 m at; 25%BW (r = -0.66; p < 0.01, r = -0.57; p < 0.01, r = -0.63; p < 0.01), 50%BW (r = -0.72; p < 0.01, r = -0.57; p < 0.01, r = -0.63, p < 0.01), 75%BW (r = -0.63; p < 0.01, r = -0.59; p < 0.01, r = -0.68; p < 0.01), 100%BW (r = -0.57; p < 0.05, r = -0.50; p < 0.05, r = -0.64; p < 0.01). No significant correlations between isometric strength measures and swimming start performance

Geladas et al. 2005 [25]

HJ, HGS

Negative correlations between HJ and 100 m time in boys (r = -0.58, p < 0.01) and girls (r = -0.25, p < 0.01). Negative correlation between HGS and 100 m time in boys (r = -0.73, p < 0.01), not girls

Girold et al. 2006 [26]

Isometric and concentric strength

100 m freestyle performance in competition positively correlated to the strength of the elbow flexors and extensors under isometric (r = 0.57; 0.54; p < 0.05) and concentric conditions (r = 0.64 to 0.67; 0.66; p < 0.05)

Keiner et al. 2015 [39]

1RM squat, 1RM bench press, 1RM sit-up, 1RM bent over row, 1RM deadlift, SJ, CMJ

15 m freestyle negatively correlated with 1RM squat, SJ, CMJ, 1RM bench press, 1RM bent over row, 1RM deadlift and 1RM sit-up (r = -0.76; -0.94; -0.92; -0.84; 0.81; -0.68; -0.51; p < 0.05). 25 m freestyle negatively correlated with 1RM squat, SJ, CMJ, 1RM bench press, 1RM bent over row and 1RM deadlift (r = -0.75; -0.94; -0.91; -0.85; -0.83; -0.68; p < 0.05). 50 m freestyle negatively correlated with 1RM squat, SJ, CMJ, 1RM bench press, 1RM bent over row, 1RM deadlift and 1RM sit-up (r = -0.72; -0.82; -0.82; -0.83; -0.80; -0.68; -0.48; p < 0.05). 100 m freestyle negatively correlated with 1RM squat, SJ, CMJ, 1RM bench press, 1RM bent over row, 1RM deadlift and 1RM sit-up (r = -0.68; -0.77; -0.77; -0.81; -0.77; -0.64; -0.38; p < 0.05). 50 m breaststroke negatively correlated with 1RM squat, SJ, CMJ, 1RM bench press, 1RM bent over row, 1RM deadlift and 1RM sit-up (r = -0.70; -0.87; -0.85; -0.79; -0.78; -0.65; -0.39; p < 0.05). 100 m breaststroke negatively correlated with 1RM squat, SJ, CMJ, 1RM bench press, 1RM bent over row, 1RM deadlift and 1RM sit-up (r = -0.73; -0.86; -0.84; -0.82; -0.80; -0.67; -0.38; p < 0.05). 50 m backstroke negatively correlated with 1RM squat, SJ, CMJ, 1RM bench press, 1RM bent over row, 1RM deadlift and 1RM sit-up (r = -0.54; -0.53; -0.53; -0.65; -0.65; -0.51; -0.31; p < 0.05) 100 m backstroke negatively correlated with 1RM squat, SJ, CMJ, 1RM bench press and 1RM bent over row (r = -0.33; -0.36; -0.37; -0.37; -0.39; p < 0.05)

Keiner et al. 2019 [38]

SJ, CMJ, 1RM squat, 1RM bench press

1RM bench press and squat combined positively correlated with 50 m freestyle performance (R2 = 0.62), 100 m freestyle performance (R2 = 0.45), swimming power (R2 = 0.65) and 15 m start performance (R2 = 0.50). Start performance to 15 m negatively correlated with 1RM squat (r = -0.67; p < 0.05), SJ (r = -0.78; p < 0.05) and CMJ (r = -0.77; p < 0.05). Start performance to 5 m negatively correlated with 1RM squat (r = -0.65; p < 0.05) and SJ (r = -0.56; p < 0.05). Turn performance to 5 m negatively correlated with SJ (r = -0.65; p < 0.05) and CMJ (r = -0.75; p < 0.05)

Klika & Thorland, 1994 [41]

FM, LBM, vertical jump, peak VO₂, arm-stroke force and leg stroke force

Multiple discriminant function identified leg kick force, peak VO₂, stroke efficiency and muscularity as predictors of performance level (Multiple discriminant function coefficient = unstandardized 0.822, 0.221, 0.732; standardized 1.87, 1.48, 1.08). Vertical jump power showed no relationship with performance

Loturco et al. 2015 [44]

PF, MPP, IMP, isometric strength, SJ, CMJ

Tethered swimming PF, AF, RFD and IMP negatively correlated with 50 m freestyle time (r = -0.82; -0.85; -0.72; -0.76; p < 0.01). Tethered swimming PF and AF negatively correlated with 100 m freestyle time (r = -0.74; -0.67; p < 0.05). Negative correlation between 50 m swimming time and JS MPP (r = -0.70, p < 0.05). Correlations between isometric BP and QS (PF and RFD) were not significant

Maszczyk et al. 2012 [50]

HJ

HJ key predictive factor of 50 m freestyle performance in when used in regression models

Mitchell et al. 2018 [53]

CMJ

Negative correlations between swimming performance improvements and loaded CMJ height in 100 m males (r = -0.79), 200 m males (r = -0.47) and 100 m females (r = -0.39) through multiple linear regression model

Morais et al. 2016a [55]

Medicine ball TV, SJ and CMJ height

Cluster 1 (talented, fastest swimmers) characterized as having a high SJ (0.34 m ± 0.06 vs 0.24 m ± 0.03, F = 11.18, p < 0.001) and (TV) (7.58 ± 0.28 vs 6.07 ± 0.81 ms, F = 8.18, p = 0.002) compared to cluster 3 (slowest swimmers)

Morais et al. 2016b [56]

Medicine ball TV

TV negatively correlated with 100 m freestyle time (r = -0.42; p = 0.03). Regression model identified TV influences power to overcome drag, which in turn influences both swimming velocity and propelling efficiency, explaining 69% of variance in performance

Pardos-Mainer et al. 2015 [62]

HGS, HJ, isometric strength, 30 m running sprint

HJ, 30 m sprint velocity, HGS, isometric crawl force, knee extension isometric force all had significant correlations with 50 m freestyle time (r = -0.561; 0.538; -0.511; -0.269; -0.267; p < 0.05)

Potdevin et al. 2011 [70]

CMJ, SJ

6 weeks of plyometric training improved maximal glide speed (2.28 ± 0.19 vs. 2.41 ± 0.27 ms, p < 0.05, ES = 0.26), 400 m freestyle velocity (0.96 ± 0.09 vs. 0.92 ± 0.10 ms, ES = 0.15; p < 0.05) and 50 m freestyle velocity (1.29 ± 0.15 ms vs. 1.25 ± 0.18 ms, ES = 0.1, p < 0.05). Positive correlation between change in SJ height and change in 50 m freestyle velocity (r = 0.73, P < 0.05)

Saavedra et al. 2010 [76]

HJ, HGS, trunk power, isometric strength,

Positive correlations between swimming performance and HJ (r = 0.312 p ≤ 0.05), HGS (r = 0.508; p ≤ 0.05), abdominals in 30 s (r = 0.346; p ≤ 0.05), flexed arm hang (r = 0.351; p ≤ 0.05)

Seffrin et al. 2021 [78]

HGS, SJ, CMJ, isokinetic strength

HGS negatively correlated with 100 m freestyle performance in males and females (r = -0.77; -0.74; p ≤ 0.05) and 400 m freestyle performance in males (r = -0.67; p ≤ 0,05). CMJ negatively correlated with 100 m and 400 m freestyle performance in males (r = -0.65; -0.55; p ≤ 0.05). Flexion and extension torque and power of the upper and lower limbs negatively correlated with 100 m (r = -0.84 to -0.51; p ≤ 0.05) and 400 m freestyle performance (r = -0.59 to -0.51; p ≤ 0.05)

Strzała et al. 2019 [83]

CMJ, isometric strength

CMJ performance (cm and J) positively correlated with front crawl velocity (r = 0.57; 0.69; p < 0.05). Positive correlations between knee flexion, knee extension and freestyle velocity (r = 0.56; 0.57; p < 0.05)