Longitudinal Relationships Between Maturation, Technical Efficiency, and Performance in Age-Group Swimmers: Improving Swimmer Evaluation

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Shaun Abbott ◽  
Goshi Yamauchi ◽  
Mark Halaki ◽  
Marcela Torres Castiglioni ◽  
James Salter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Technical Skill ◽  
Horizontal Velocity ◽  
Stroke Index ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Front Crawl ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Propelling Efficiency ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Longitudinal Relationships

Purpose: The study aimed to (1) accurately examine longitudinal relationships between maturity status and both technical skill indices and performance in Australian male (N = 64) age-group Front-crawl swimmers (10–15 y) and (2) determine whether individual differences in maturation influenced relationships between technical skill level and swimming performance. Methods: A repeated-measures design was used to assess maturity status and performance on 200-m Front-crawl trial across 2 competition seasons (2018–2020). Assessments were made on 3 to 5 occasions (median = 3) separated by approximately 4 months. Average horizontal velocity and stroke frequency were used to calculate technical skill indices, specifically stroke index, and arm propelling efficiency. Relationships between variables were assessed using linear mixed models, identifying fixed, and random effect estimates. Results: Curvilinear trends best described significant longitudinal relationships between maturity status with horizontal velocity (F = 10.33 [1, 233.77]; P = .002) and stroke index (F = 5.55 [1, 217.9]; P = .02) during 200-m Front-crawl trials. Maturity status was not significantly related to arm propelling efficiency (P = .08). However, arm propelling efficiency was an independent predictor of Front-crawl velocity (F = 55.89 [1, 210.45]; P < .001). Conclusions: Maturity status predicted assessment of swimmer technical skill (stroke index) and swimming performance. However, technical skill accessed via arm propelling efficiency was independent of maturation and was predictive of performance. Maturity status influences performance evaluation based on technical skill and velocity. Findings highlight the need to account for maturation and technical skill in age-group swimmers to better inform swimmer evaluation.

scholarly journals Energetic and Biomechanical Contributions for Longitudinal Performance in Master Swimmers

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Daniel A. Marinho ◽  
Maria I. Ferreira ◽  
Tiago M. Barbosa ◽  
José Vilaça-Alves ◽  
Mário J. Costa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Lactate ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Lactate Concentration ◽  
Blood Lactate Concentration ◽  
Stroke Index ◽  
Front Crawl ◽  
Stroke Length ◽  
Propelling Efficiency ◽  
Peak Blood ◽  
Peak Blood Lactate

Background: The current study aimed to verify the changes in performance, physiological and biomechanical variables throughout a season in master swimmers. Methods: Twenty-three master swimmers (34.9 ± 7.4 years) were assessed three times during a season (December: M1, March: M2, June: M3), in indoor 25 m swimming pools. An incremental 5 × 200 m test was used to evaluate the speed at 4 mmol·L−1 of blood lactate concentration (sLT), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), peak blood lactate ([La-]peak) after the test, stroke frequency (SF), stroke length (SL), stroke index (SI) and propelling efficiency (ηp). The performance was assessed in the 200 m front crawl during competition. Results: Swimming performance improved between M1, M2 (2%, p = 0.03), and M3 (4%, p < 0.001). Both sLT and VO2max increased throughout the season (4% and 18%, p < 0.001, respectively) but not [La-]peak. While SF decreased 5%, SL, SI and ηp increased 5%, 7%, and 6% (p < 0.001) from M1 to M3. Conclusions: Master swimmers improved significantly in their 200 m front crawl performance over a season, with decreased SF, and increased SL, ηp and SI. Despite the improvement in energetic variables, the change in performance seemed to be more dependent on technical than energetic factors.

scholarly journals Monitoring Changes Over a Training Macrocycle in Regional Age‐Group Swimmers

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-223
Author(s):  
Guilherme Tucher ◽  
Flávio Antônio de Souza Castro ◽  
Nuno Domingos Garrido ◽  
Ricardo Jorge Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Lactate Concentration ◽  
Stroke Index ◽  
Maximal Velocity ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Rest Interval ◽  
Swimming Training ◽  
Front Crawl ◽  
Stroke Length ◽  
Performance Variables ◽  
And Performance

Abstract Our aim was to analyze physiological, kinematical and performance changes induced by swimming training in regional age‐group athletes. Subjects (15.7 ± 2.2 years old) performed a 4 x 50‐m front‐crawl test at maximal velocity (10 s rest interval) in weeks 2, 4, 9 and 12 of a 15‐week macrocycle. Descriptive statistics were used and the percentage of change and smallest worthwhile change (moderate, 0.6‐1.2, and large, > 1.2) were measured. Lactate concentration in the third, seventh and twelfth minute of recovery decreased significantly between weeks 2‐9 (14.1, 15.7 and 17.6%) and increased between weeks 9‐12 (18.2, 18.6 and 19.8%), with the HR presenting only trivial variations during the training period. Stroke length showed a large decrease in the first 50‐m trial between weeks 4‐9 (6.2%) and a large increase between weeks 9‐12 (3.1%). The stroke rate (in all 50‐m trials) increased significantly between weeks 4‐9 (3‐ 7%) and the stroke index had a moderate to large increase in the first and third 50‐m trial (3.6 and 7.1%, respectively) between weeks 9‐12. The overall time decreased by 1.1% between weeks 2‐12, being more evident after week 4. We concluded that physiological, kinematical and performance variables were affected by the period of training in regional age‐group swimmers.

scholarly journals Young Swimmers’ Middle-Distance Performance Variation within a Training Season

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1010
Author(s):  
Sara Ferreira ◽  
Diogo Duarte Carvalho ◽  
Ricardo Cardoso ◽  
Manoel Rios ◽  
Susana Soares ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Stroke Index ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Swimming Training ◽  
Front Crawl ◽  
Stroke Length ◽  
Post Exercise ◽  
Performance Variation ◽  
Technical Proficiency

The current study aimed to longitudinally evaluate anthropometric, physiological, and biomechanical variables related to middle-distance performance during a 45-week swimming training season. Thirty-four swimmers (age: 12.07 ± 1.14 years) performed a maximum of 400 m front crawl at the beginning (T1) and finish of the first macrocycle (T2, 15 weeks) and the finish of the second (T3, 18 weeks) and third macrocycles (T4, 12 weeks). Time-related variables, stroke rate (SR), stroke length (SL), and stroke index (SI) were recorded during the test, and blood lactate ([La]) and glucose ([Glu]) concentrations were measured post-exercise. The time of the 400 m effort decreased after each macrocycle (T2 vs. T1, 7.8 ± 5.6%; T3 vs. T2, 3.7 ± 3.1%; T4 vs. T3, 3.8 ± 3.4%; p < 0.01). Four hundred meter speed changes between T1 and T2 were positively related to variations in [La], [Glu], SL, and SI (r = 0.36–0.60, p < 0.05). Changes between T2 and T3 were related to SI only (r = 0.5, p < 0.05), and modifications between T3 and T4 were associated with SL and SI variations (r = 0.34 and 0.65, p < 0.05). These results indicate that a well-structured year plan including three macrocycles leads to a significant age-group swimming performance improvement, mostly connected with an increase in technical proficiency.

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

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.

Analysis of Swimming Performance from Physical, Physiological, and Biomechanical Parameters in Young Swimmers

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaak Jürimäe ◽  
Kaja Haljaste ◽  
Antonio Cicchella ◽  
Evelin Lätt ◽  
Priit Purge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Cost ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Peak Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Stroke Index ◽  
Front Crawl ◽  
Stroke Length ◽  
Technical Parameters ◽  
Arm Span ◽  
Biomechanical Parameters ◽  
Energy Cost Of Swimming

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the energy cost of swimming, body composition, and technical parameters on swimming performance in young swimmers. Twenty-nine swimmers, 15 prepubertal (11.9 ± 0.3 years; Tanner Stages 1−2) and 14 pubertal (14.3 ± 1.4 years; Tanner Stages 3−4) boys participated in the study. The energy cost of swimming (Cs) and stroking parameters were assessed over maximal 400-m front-crawl swimming in a 25m swimming pool. The backward extrapolation technique was used to evaluate peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak). A stroke index (SI; m2 · s−1 · cycles−1) was calculated by multiplying the swimming speed by the stroke length. VO2peak results were compared with VO2peak test in the laboratory (bicycle, 2.86 ± 0.74 L/min, vs. in water, 2.53 ± 0.50 L/min; R2 = .713; p = .0001). Stepwise-regression analyses revealed that SI (R2 = .898), in-water VO2peak (R2 = .358), and arm span (R2 = .454) were the best predictors of swimming performance. The backward-extrapolation method could be used to assess VO2peak in young swimmers. SI, arm span, and VO2peak appear to be the major determinants of front-crawl swimming performance in young swimmers.

Biophysical Determinants of Front-Crawl Swimming at Moderate and Severe Intensities

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Ribeiro ◽  
Argyris G. Toubekis ◽  
Pedro Figueiredo ◽  
Kelly de Jesus ◽  
Huub M. Toussaint ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Power ◽  
Improve Performance ◽  
Front Crawl ◽  
Stroke Length ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Biophysical Analysis ◽  
Propelling Efficiency ◽  
Biomechanical Parameters ◽  
And Performance ◽  
High Level

Purpose:To conduct a biophysical analysis of the factors associated with front-crawl performance at moderate and severe swimming intensities, represented by anaerobic-threshold (vAnT) and maximal-oxygen-uptake (vV̇O2max) velocities.Methods:Ten high-level swimmers performed 2 intermittent incremental tests of 7 × 200 and 12 × 25 m (through a system of underwater push-off pads) to assess vAnT, and vV̇O2max, and power output. The 1st protocol was videotaped (3D reconstruction) for kinematic analysis to assess stroke frequency (SF), stroke length (SL), propelling efficiency (ηP), and index of coordination (IdC). V̇O2 was measured and capillary blood samples (lactate concentrations) were collected, enabling computation of metabolic power. The 2nd protocol allowed calculating mechanical power and performance efficiency from the ratio of mechanical to metabolic power.Results:Neither vAnT nor vV̇O2max was explained by SF (0.56 ± 0.06 vs 0.68 ± 0.06 Hz), SL (2.29 ± 0.21 vs 2.06 ± 0.20 m), ηP (0.38 ± 0.02 vs 0.36± 0.03), IdC (–12.14 ± 5.24 vs –9.61 ± 5.49), or metabolic-power (1063.00 ± 122.90 vs 1338.18 ± 127.40 W) variability. vV̇O2max was explained by power to overcome drag (r = .77, P ≤ .05) and ηP (r = .72, P ≤ .05), in contrast with the nonassociation between these parameters and vAnT; both velocities were well related (r = .62, P ≤ .05).Conclusions:The biomechanical parameters, coordination, and metabolic power seemed not to be performance discriminative at either intensity. However, the increase in power to overcome drag, for the less metabolic input, should be the focus of any intervention that aims to improve performance at severe swimming intensity. This is also true for moderate intensities, as vAnT and vV˙O2max are proportional to each other.

scholarly journals Even Pacing Is Associated with Faster Finishing Times in Ultramarathon Distance Trail Running—The “Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc” 2008–2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Suter ◽  
Caio Victor Sousa ◽  
Lee Hill ◽  
Volker Scheer ◽  
Pantelis Theo Nikolaidis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Linear Model ◽  
Performance Level ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Pacing Strategies ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Group Sex ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Trail Running ◽  
One Way Anova

In recent years, there has been an increasing number of investigations analyzing the effects of sex, performance level, and age on pacing in various running disciplines. However, little is known about the impact of those factors on pacing strategies in ultramarathon trail running. This study investigated the effects of age, sex, and performance level on pacing in the UTMB® (Ultra-trail du Mont Blanc) and aimed to verify previous findings obtained in the research on other running disciplines and other ultramarathon races. Data from the UTMB® from 2008 to 2019 for 13,829 race results (12,681 men and 1148 women) were analyzed. A general linear model (two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)) was applied to identify a sex, age group, and interaction effect in pace average and pace variation. A univariate model (one-way ANOVA) was used to identify a sex effect for age, pace average, and pace variation for the fastest men and women. In our study, pace average and a steadier pace were positively correlated. Even pacing throughout the UTMB® correlated with faster finishing times. The average pace depended significantly on sex and age group. When considering the top five athletes in each age group, sex and age group also had significant effects on pace variation. The fastest women were older than the fastest men, and the fastest men were faster than the fastest women. Women had a higher pace variation than men. In male competitors, younger age may be advantageous for a successful finish of the UTMB®. Faster male runners seemed to be younger in ultramarathon trail running with large changes in altitude when compared to other distances and terrains.

Spatial-temporal variables for swimming coaches: A comparison study between video and TritonWear sensor

2021 ◽  
pp. 174795412110137
Author(s):  
Robin Pla ◽  
Thibaut Ledanois ◽  
Escobar David Simbana ◽  
Anaël Aubry ◽  
Benjamin Tranchard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Video Recording ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Percentage Error ◽  
Stroke Index ◽  
Wearable Sensor ◽  
Stroke Length ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Temporal Variables ◽  
Training Sets

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and the reliability of a swimming sensor to assess swimming performance and spatial-temporal variables. Six international male open-water swimmers completed a protocol which consisted of two training sets: a 6×100m individual medley and a continuous 800 m set in freestyle. Swimmers were equipped with a wearable sensor, the TritonWear to collect automatically spatial-temporal variables: speed, lap time, stroke count (SC), stroke length (SL), stroke rate (SR), and stroke index (SI). Video recordings were added as a “gold-standard” and used to assess the validity and the reliability of the TritonWear sensor. The results show that the sensor provides accurate results in comparison with video recording measurements. A very high accuracy was observed for lap time with a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) under 5% for each stroke (2.2, 3.2, 3.4, 4.1% for butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle respectively) but high error ranges indicate a dependence on swimming technique. Stroke count accuracy was higher for symmetric strokes than for alternate strokes (MAPE: 0, 2.4, 7.1 & 4.9% for butterfly, breaststroke, backstroke & freestyle respectively). The other variables (SL, SR & SI) derived from the SC and the lap time also show good accuracy in all strokes. The wearable sensor provides an accurate real time feedback of spatial-temporal variables in six international open-water swimmers during classical training sets (at low to moderate intensities), which could be a useful tool for coaches, allowing them to monitor training load with no effort.

scholarly journals The Acute Effects of a Swimming Session on the Shoulder Rotators Strength and Balance of Age Group Swimmers

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 8109
Author(s):  
Nuno Batalha ◽  
Jose A. Parraca ◽  
Daniel A. Marinho ◽  
Ana Conceição ◽  
Hugo Louro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Muscle Strengthening ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Shoulder Strength ◽  
Isometric Torque ◽  
Gender Specific

The purpose of this study was to analyze the acute effects of a standardized water training session on the shoulder rotators strength and balance in age group swimmers, in order to understand whether a muscle-strengthening workout immediately after the water training is appropriate. A repeated measures design was implemented with two measurements performed before and after a standardized swim session. 127 participants were assembled in male (n = 72; age: 16.28 ± 1.55 years, height: 174.15 ± 7.89 cm, weight: 63.97 ± 6.51 kg) and female (n = 55; age: 15.29 ± 1.28 years, height: 163.03 ± 7.19 cm, weight: 52.72 ± 5.48 kg) cohorts. The isometric torque of the shoulder internal (IR) and external (ER) rotators, as well as the ER/IR ratios, were assessed using a hand-held dynamometer. Paired sample t-tests and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were used (p ≤ 0.05). No significant differences were found on the shoulder rotators strength or balance in males after training. Females exhibited unchanged strength values after practice, but there was a considerable decrease in the shoulder rotators balance of the non-dominant limb (p < 0.01 d = 0.366). This indicates that a single practice seems not to affect the shoulders strength and balance of adolescent swimmers, but this can be a gender specific phenomenon. While muscle-strengthening workout after the water session may be appropriate for males, it can be questionable regarding females. Swimming coaches should regularly assess shoulder strength levels in order to individually identify swimmers who may or may not be able to practice muscle strengthening after the water training.

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