1 Cite this article as: Dodigović, L., Sindik, J. (2015). Comparison of selected health and morphological parameters between classic swimming and synchronized swimming. Sport Scientific and Practical Aspects, 12(2), 5-9. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comparison of selected health and morphological parameters between classic swimming and synchronized swimming Lucija Dodigović 1 Joško Sindik 2 1,2 Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia Abstract Swimming and synchronized swimming are two similar sports, different in required patterns of movements, but with similar predispositions in important motor abilities, functional capacities and morphology. First goal in this study is to determine the differences between female girls in two age groups, actively engaged in classic and synchronized swimming in chosen health and morphological parameters, as well se to forecast body mass index (BMI) in overall sample of active athletes with same parameters as the predictors. The data are collected from routine medical examinations of the athletes in the Polyclinic for Occupational Health and Sport in Zagreb, including sample of female athletes: swimmers (N=46) and synchronized swimmers (N=15), in two age groups: 7-13 years and 13-15 years. The results showed that the differences between swimmers and synchronized swimmers are not found, except in the age group 7-13 years, where diastolic blood pressure and hematocrits showed higher mean values in synchronized swimmers, as compared to the swimmers. BMI could be successfully predicted on the base of three statistically significant predictors (systolic blood pressure, leukocyte and sedimentation). Results offer the guidelines for improving the training process for both sports. Keywords: anthropometry, functional capacities, swimming, training Introduction The swimming and synchronized swimming are two similar sports. This study is conducted to determine the differences among chosen health and morphological parameters, in young female athletes engaged in these two sports. In order to enhance their physical and mental potential, girls who are exercising (either as amateur or top athletes) should use the scientific knowledge, to develop and maintain their strength, flexibility, coordination and endurance (Wells, Fasting & Dahm, 2013). Swimming is a life-long sport, one of the basic sports, an important marker of health in children and adolescents (Ortega, Ruiz, Castillo & Sjöström, 2008; Gisladottir, Haga & Sigmundsson, 2013), and affects the proper physical and mental development of the child (Sindik, 2009; Badrić et al., 2014). Swimming is one of the cyclic sports, in which dominate relatively simple movements, which are constantly equal and alternately repeated, during swimming specific techniques (Bartlet, 2007). Synchronized swimming is a sport that consists of aesthetically designed swimming movements, positions, figures and compulsory and free compositions that swimmers perform in water, in line with each other and with the music. In other words, synchronized swimming is a combination of