Simulated front crawl swimming performance related to critical speed and critical power

Youth swimming performance may be influenced by anthropometric, physiology and technical factors. The present paper examined the role of these factors in performance of 100m freestyle in swimmers 12–14 years of age (n = 24). Multiple regression analysis (forward method) was used to examine the variance of the 100 meters front crawl. Anaerobic power, swimming index and critical speed explained 88% (p < .05) of the variance in the average speed of 100 meters front crawl among young male pubertal swimmers. To conclude, performance of young swimmers in the 100 meters front crawl is determined predominantly by physiological factors and swimming technique.

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A 3-min All-out Upper-body Ergometer Test For Competitive Swimmers

International Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1055/a-1312-6797 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nikolai Baastrup Nordsborg ◽

Jerónimo Aragón-Vela ◽

Thomas Bonne ◽

Magni Mohr

Keyword(s):

Peak Power ◽

Critical Speed ◽

Critical Power ◽

Swimming Performance ◽

Upper Body ◽

Strong Correlations ◽

Elite Swimmers ◽

And Performance ◽

Ergometer Test ◽

Competitive Swimmers

AbstractWe examined the application of a land-based swimming ergometer 3-min all-out test to determine physiological predictors of swimming performance. Fourteen young elite swimmers participated (males: n=6; females: n=8). The swimmers completed two 3-min upper-body all-out tests on a swimming ergometer. Additionally, the swimmers completed freestyle swim races ranging from 50 m to 1500 m. High test-retest reproducibility (r=0.98 and coefficient of variation values <7.5%) was evident for ergometer derived peak, mean and critical power. Very strong correlations (r>0.87, p<0.001) were obtained between the 200-, 400-, 800- and 1500-m swimming performances and derived critical speed. Moreover, correlations were found between peak force and peak power and 50-m performance, in addition to critical power and performance for all distances. The critical speed was the dominant predictor of 200- to 1500-m performances (r=0.84−0.99). In conclusion, the land-based 3-min all-out swimming ergometer test is reliable and valid in predicting swimming performance in competitive swimmers and evaluates important physiological components in swimmers independent of technical abilities.

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Critical stroke rate as a parameter for evaluation in swimming

Motriz Revista de Educação Física ◽

10.1590/s1980-65742013000400009 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 724-729 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Marcos Franken ◽

Fernando Diefenthaeler ◽

Felipe Collares Moré ◽

Ricardo Peterson Silveira ◽

Flávio Antônio de Souza Castro

Keyword(s):

Aerobic Capacity ◽

Swimming Speed ◽

Critical Speed ◽

Stroke Rate ◽

Front Crawl ◽

Stroke Length ◽

Competitive Swimmers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the critical stroke rate (CSR) compared to the average stroke rate (SR) when swimming at the critical speed (CS). Ten competitive swimmers performed five 200 m trials at different velocities relative to their CS (90, 95, 100, 103 and 105%) in front crawl. The CSR was significantly higher than the SR at 90% of the CS and lower at 105% of the CS. Stroke length (SL) at 103 and 105% of the CS were lower than the SL at 90, 95, and 100% of the CS. The combination of the CS and CSR concepts can be useful for improving both aerobic capacity/power and technique. CS and CSR could be used to reduce the SR and increase the SL, when swimming at the CS pace, or to increase the swimming speed when swimming at the CSR.

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What Is the Optimal Strength Training Load to Improve Swimming Performance? A Randomized Trial of Male Competitive Swimmers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182211770 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (22) ◽

pp. 11770

Author(s):

Sofiene Amara ◽

Emmet Crowley ◽

Senda Sammoud ◽

Yassine Negra ◽

Raouf Hammami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Resistance Training ◽

Strength Training ◽

Bench Press ◽

Swimming Performance ◽

Training Volume ◽

Front Crawl ◽

Leg Extension ◽

Low Resistance ◽

Volume Load ◽

Competitive Swimmers

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of high, moderate, and low resistance training volume-load of maximum strength training on muscle strength and swimming performance in competitive swimmers. Thirty-three male swimmers were randomly allocated to high (age = 16.5 ± 0.30 years), moderate (age = 16.1 ± 0.32 years) and a low resistance training volume-load group (age = 15.9 ± 0.31). This study was carried out in mid-season (January to March). Pre and post strength (e.g., repetition maximum [1RM] leg extension and bench press tests), swimming (25, 50 m front-crawl), start (speed, time, distance) and turn (time of turn) performance tests were conducted. Our findings revealed a large main effect of time for 1RM bench press: d = 1.38; 1RM leg extension: d = 1.55, and for 25 (d = 1.12), and 50 m (d = 1.97) front-crawl, similarly for start and turn performance (d = 1.28–1.46). However, no significant Group × Time interactions were shown in all strength swimming performances, start and turn tests (p > 0.05). In conclusion, low training loads have been shown to elicit the same results as moderate, and high training loads protocol. Therefore, this study shows evidence that the addition of low training volume-loads as a regular part of a maximal strength training regime will elicit improvements in strength and swimming performance.

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Is Front Crawl Swimming Performance Affected By Hydrodynamic Drag In Young Swimmers?

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000385926.43750.70 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

pp. 690

Author(s):

António J. Silva ◽

Mário C. Marques ◽

Nuno Garrido ◽

Tiago M. Barbosa ◽

Mário J. Costa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Swimming Performance ◽

Hydrodynamic Drag ◽

Front Crawl

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Effectiveness of the Power Dry-Land Training Programmes in Youth Swimmers

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/v10078-012-0025-5 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 77-86 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Jerzy Sadowski ◽

Andrzej Mastalerz ◽

Wilhelm Gromisz ◽

Tomasz Niźnikowski

Keyword(s):

Body Mass ◽

Swimming Performance ◽

Control Group ◽

Power Training ◽

Front Crawl ◽

Dry Land ◽

Training Programmes ◽

And Control ◽

Experimental Group ◽

And Training

Effectiveness of the Power Dry-Land Training Programmes in Youth Swimmers The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the dry-land power training on swimming force, swimming performance and strength in youth swimmers. Twenty six male swimmers, free from injuries and training regularly at least 6 times a week, were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to one of two groups: experimental (n=14, mean age 14.0 ± 0.5 yrs, mean height 1.67±0.08 m and mean body mass 55.71 ±9.55 kg) and control (n=12, mean age 14.1 ± 0.5 yrs, mean height 1.61±0.11 m and mean body mass 49.07 ±8.25 kg). The experimental group took part in a combined swimming and dry-land power training. The control group took part in swimming training only. The training programmes in water included a dominant aerobic work in front crawl. In this research the experimental group tended to present slightly greater improvements in sprint performance. However, the stroke frequency insignificantly decreased (-4.30%, p>0.05) in the experimental group and increased (6.28%, p>0.05) in the control group. The distance per stroke insignificantly increased in the experimental group (5.98%, p>0.05) and insignificantly decreased in the control group (-5.36%, p>0.05). A significant improvement of tethered swimming force for the experimental group (9.64%, p<0.02) was found, whereas the increase was not statistically significant in the control group (2.86%, p>0.05). The main data cannot clearly state that power training allowed an enhancement in swimming performance, although a tendency to improve swimming performance in tethered swimming was noticed.

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How to predict peak front crawl swimming performance?

Suiei Suichu Undo Kagaku ◽

10.2479/swex.7.5 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 5-15

Author(s):

Huub Toussaint ◽

Martin Truijens

Keyword(s):

Swimming Performance ◽

Front Crawl

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Relationship between Swimming Performance, Biomechanical Variables and the Calculated Predicted 1-RM Push-up in Competitive Swimmers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182111395 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (21) ◽

pp. 11395

Author(s):

Sofiene Amara ◽

Oussama Gaied Chortane ◽

Yassine Negra ◽

Raouf Hammami ◽

Riadh Khalifa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Swimming Performance ◽

Body Height ◽

Upper Body ◽

Stroke Index ◽

Front Crawl ◽

Body Strength ◽

Velocity Relationship ◽

Upper Body Strength ◽

Competitive Swimmers ◽

Push Up

One repetition maximum (1RM) push-ups, based upon the load–velocity relationship, are able to predict the maximum upper body strength. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between the predicted 1RM push-up based upon the load–velocity relationship and swimming performance and kinematical variables in competitive swimmers. Thirty-three competitive male swimmers (age = 16.46 ± 0.59 years, body mass = 72.82 ± 8.41 kg, body height = 180.56 ± 5.69 cm) performed push-up exercises without a weight vest and with a 10, 20 and 30 kg weight vests. A load–velocity relationship was established as a product of the load and velocity of the push-up per participant, and the equation was used to establish a predicted 1RM. Our findings showed a predicted 1RM push-up of 82.98 ± 9.95 kg. Pearson correlations revealed a nearly perfect relationship between the 1RM push-up and the 25 or 50 m front crawl (r = −0.968, r = −0.955), and between 1RM push-up and the 25 or 50 m front crawl with arms (r = −0.955, r = x0.941). Similarly, our results revealed significant near-perfect correlations between 1RM push-up and kinematical variables (r = 0.93–0.96) except the stroke index, which had a large relationship (r = 0.56). This study suggests that swimming performance and kinematical variables are correlated with the predicted 1RM push-up. The 1RM push-up based upon the load–velocity relationship is a low cost and time-effective alternative for swimmers and coaches to predict maximum upper body strength to optimize swimming performance in short races.

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Specific and Holistic Predictors of Sprint Front Crawl Swimming Performance

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2021-0058 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 78 (1) ◽

pp. 197-207

Author(s):

Marek Strzała ◽

Arkadiusz Stanula ◽

Piotr Krężałek ◽

Wojciech Rejdych ◽

Jakub Karpiński ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Swimming Performance ◽

Strongly Correlated ◽

Arm Cranking ◽

Front Crawl ◽

Dry Land ◽

Fitness Assessment ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship ◽

Sprint Swimming

Abstract The aim of the study was to examine the impact of selected water- and dry-land predictors of 50-m front crawl performance among 27 male swimmers aged 19.3 ± 2.67 years. The following water tests were performed: front crawl tethered arm stroking in a water flume (flow velocity: 0.9 m·s–1) and leg tethered flutter kicking in a swimming pool. Anaerobic tests on dry land included arm cranking and a set of 10 countermovement jumps. The maximal and average forces generated by legs in tethered swimming (Fl max and Fl ave) turned out to be the strongest predictors of sprint swimming aptitude. These values were strongly correlated with total speed (Vtotal50) (r = 0.49, p < 0.05 and r = 0.54, p < 0.01, respectively), start, turn, and finishing speed (VSTF) (r = 0.60, p < 0.01 and r = 0.67, p < 0.01, respectively). The relationship of Fl max and Fl ave with surface speed (Vsurface) was moderate (r = 0.33, non-significant and r = 0.41, p < 0.05, respectively). The maximal force generated by arms (Fa max) during flume tethered swimming significantly influenced Vsurface and Vtotal50 (0.51, p < 0.01 and 0.47, p < 0.05, respectively). Its relationship with VSTF was close to significant (0.36, p = 0.07). Upper and lower limb dry-land tests showed lower and more holistic relationships with the 50-m front crawl race, however, being a good complement to overall fitness assessment. Specific in-water evaluation, especially the newly prepared flutter kicking test, as well as dry-land tests, can be applied to regularly monitor progress in swimming training, and to identify talented swimmers.

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Intracyclic Variation of Force and Swimming Performance

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2017-0223 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 897-902 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Pedro G. Morouço ◽

Tiago M. Barbosa ◽

Raul Arellano ◽

João P. Vilas-Boas

Keyword(s):

Swimming Performance ◽

Time Trial ◽

Velocity Variation ◽

Swimming Velocity ◽

Stroke Rate ◽

Free Swimming ◽

Front Crawl ◽

Continuous Application ◽

High Level ◽

Maximal Effort

Context: In front-crawl swimming, the upper limbs perform alternating movements with the aim of achieving a continuous application of force in the water, leading to lower intracyclic velocity variation (dv). This parameter has been identified as a crucial criterion for swimmers’ evaluation. Purpose: To examine the assessment of intracyclic force variation (dF) and to analyze its relationship with dv and swimming performance. Methods: A total of 22 high-level male swimmers performed a maximal-effort 50-m front-crawl time trial and a 30-s maximal-effort fully tethered swimming test, which were randomly assigned. Instantaneous velocity was obtained by a speedometer and force by a strain-gauge system. Results: Similarity was observed between the tests, with dF attaining much higher magnitudes than dv (P < .001; d = 8.89). There were no differences in stroke rate or in physiological responses between tethered and free swimming, with a high level of agreement for the stroke rate and blood lactate increase. Swimming velocity presented a strong negative linear relationship with dF (r = −.826, P < .001) and a moderate negative nonlinear relationship with dv (r = .734, P < .01). With the addition of the maximum impulse to dF, multiple-regression analysis explained 83% of the free-swimming performance. Conclusions: Assessing dF is a promising approach for evaluating a swimmer’s performance. From the experiments, this new parameter showed that swimmers with higher dF also present higher dv, leading to a decrease in performance.

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