International Olympic Committee had evaluated after 2004 Athens Olympic Games that history and tradition of Water Polo were superior to other Olympic sports. They had also evaluated that universality and TV coverage of Water Polo were inferior to other sports. International Swimming Federation has recognized the urgent need to change. They had makes some revolution such as enlargement of international tournament for five continents and progress in the referring. Additionally they had decided some changes in international rules to increase goals and spectacle scenes. These innovative changes will give some advantages for small players like Japanese than before. Some Japanese National Sports Federations has been pointed out that old athlete development system in Japan will not be stand against international competition scene. Most of false for these systems is excessive dependence on public education system. They lack coherent training methods and close relationship between programs of each coaches. A new long-term athlete development program must be established soon. Can Japan Water Polo ride on the strength of new Water Polo rules by carrying a new development program?

View full abstract

This study aimed to compare changing swimming direction and 25m speed swimming performances and their relationship between 57 competitive swimmers (Age : 20.0 ± 1.0year) and 35 water polo players (Age : 17.8 ± 2.2year). The intra-class correlation (ICC) between both trials was judged to be very high, because their ICCs were over 0.85. A result of t test showed that competitive swimmers group is superior in 25m speed swimming to water polo group, but not in changing swimming direction. Pearson's correlation coefficient between both tests was moderate (r=0.54, p<0.05) in competitive swimmers and high (r=0.70, p<0.05) in water polo group. It was suggested that water polo players are inferior in speed swimming ability to competitive swimmers, but have almost the same ability in changing swimming direction, and have their high relationship.

View full abstract