Quantity of within-sport distance variety - what can pool swimmers and track runners learn from each other?

Objective: To determine the relationship between success at peak performance age and and compare the between swimming and track running by determining probability of becoming an international-class female athlete based on the number of different race distances the athletes compete in each year throughout their development process.

Methods: Race times of female Tier 2 to Tier 5 freestyle pool swimmers ( = 2,778) and track runners ( = 9,945) were included in the present study. All athletes were ranked according to their personal best at peak performance age.

Specializing When It Counts: Comparing the Dose-Time Effect of Distance Variety between Swimming and Track Running.

Objective: To conduct a longitudinal retrospective analysis, explore the relationship between success at peak performance age and the number of different race distances athletes competed in each year (within-sport distance variety), and compare the dose-time effect of this distance variety throughout the development process between male swimmers and track runners.

Methodology: Male swimmers ( = 6033) and track runners ( = 19,278) still competing at peak performance age were ranked, and the number of different race distances was extracted retrospectively for each year until early junior age (13-14-year-old category) from the databases of the European Aquatics and World Athletics federations. Firstly, correlation analysis determined the relationship between ranking at peak performance age and distance variety.

Sprinting to the top: comparing quality of distance variety and specialization between swimmers and runners.

Objectives: To compare performance progression and variety in race distances of comparable lengths (timewise) between pool swimming and track running. Quality of within-sport variety was determined as the performance differences between individual athletes' main and secondary race distances across (top-) elite and (highly-) trained swimmers and runners.

Methods: A total of 3,827,947 race times were used to calculate performance points (race times relative to the world record) for freestyle swimmers ( = 12,588 males and  = 7,561 females) and track runners ( = 9,230 males and  = 5,841 females).

Swimming Performance in Elite Triathletes: Comparison Between Open Water and Pool Conditions.

This study aimed to compare performance, kinematic, and physiological variables between open water and pool swimming conditions in elite triathletes and to examine the associations between conditions on these variables. Fourteen elite triathletes (10 males and 4 females [23.4 ± 3.

Open Water Swimming in Elite Triathletes: Physiological and Biomechanical Determinants.

This study aimed (i) to analyze the 1500 m open water swimming performance, (ii) to examine the associations between physiological and biomechanical variables with swimming performance, and (iii) to determine which variables can predict swimming performance in triathletes. Fourteen elite triathletes (23.4±3.

Which Strength Manifestation Is More Related to Regional Swimmers' Performance and In-Water Forces? Maximal Neuromuscular Capacities Versus Maximal Mechanical Maintenance Capacity.

Purpose: To explore the association of the load-velocity (L-V) relationship variables and ability to maintain maximal mechanical performance during the prone bench-pull exercise with sprint swimming performance and in-water forces.

Methods: Eleven competitive adult male swimmers (50-m front crawl World Aquatics points: 488 [66], performance level 4) performed 1 experimental session. The L-V relationship variables (L0 [ie,  maximal theoretical load at 0 velocity]; v0 [ie, maximal theoretical velocity at 0 load], and Aline [ie, area under the L-V relationship]) and maximal mechanical maintenance capacity were assessed at the beginning of the session.

Determinants of 1500-m Front-Crawl Swimming Performance in Triathletes: Influence of Physiological and Biomechanical Variables.

Purpose: To analyze the associations between physiological and biomechanical variables with the FINA (International Swimming Federation) points (ie, swimming performance) obtained in 1500-m front-crawl swimming to determine whether these variables can be used to explain triathletes' FINA points.

Methods: Fourteen world-class, international and national triathletes (10 male: 23.24 [3.

Short-course performance variation across all race sections: How 100 and 200 m elite male swimmers progress between rounds.

Introduction: To investigate performance variation in all race sections, i.e., start, clean swimming, and turns, of elite short-course races for all swimming strokes and to determine the effect of performance variation on race results.

Detraining Effect on Cardiac Autonomic Response to an All-Out Sprint Exercise in Trained Adolescent Swimmers.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 5-week training cessation on the cardiac autonomic response after a 50-m swimming time-trial test.

Methods: Twenty trained and highly trained adolescent swimmers (17.1 [2.

Analysis of pacing and kinematics in 3000 m freestyle in elite level swimmers.

This study aimed to determine elite swimmers' pacing strategy in the 3000 m event and to analyse the associated performance variability and pacing factors. Forty-seven races were performed by 17 male and 13 female elite swimmers in a 25 m pool (20.7 ± 2.

Middle-distance Front Crawl Determinants When Using a Wetsuit.

Our aim was to establish the determinants explaining the wetsuit advantages in middle-distance swimming efforts. Thirty-one triathletes and open water swimmers performed two 400 m front crawl bouts in a 25 m swimming pool with swim and wetsuits (with 48 h rest in-between). Anthropometric, kinematic and physiological variables were measured and Pearson correlation coefficients and stepwise linear regression analysis were used to determine their relationships.

Swimming Warm-Up and Beyond: Dryland Protocols and Their Related Mechanisms-A Scoping Review.

In swimming, the beneficial effects of the in-water warm-up are often undermined by the long transition periods before competition (≥ 20 min). For that reason, studies comparing the effects of in-water warm-ups followed by dryland activities have been conducted in the swimming literature. This has brought conflicting evidence due to large combinations of supervised and unsupervised warm-up procedures used.

Are the 50 m Race Segments Changed From Heats to Finals at the 2021 European Swimming Championships?

This study explored in the 50 m races of the four swimming strokes the performance parameters and/or technical variables that determined the differences between swimmers who reach the finals and those who do not. A total of 322 performances retrieved from the 2021 Budapest European championships were the focus of this study. The results of the performances achieved during the finals compared to the heats showed that the best swimmers did not excel during the heats, as a significant progression of performance was observed in most of the strokes as the competition progressed.

Biophysical Impact of 5-Week Training Cessation on Sprint Swimming Performance.

Purpose: To assess changes in swimming performance, anthropometrics, kinematics, energetics, and strength after 5-week training cessation.

Methods: Twenty-one trained and highly trained swimmers (13 males: 17.4 [3.

Quantification of swimmers' ability to apply force in the water: the potential role of two new variables during tethered swimming.

This study aimed 1) to examine variables that may quantify the ability to apply force in the water and 2) to test their relationship with free swimming performance. Sixteen regional-level swimmers participated in this study. Average (F) and maximum (F) forces were measured for 30 s arm stroke tethered swimming in a flume at zero and 1.

Turn Performance Variation in European Elite Short-Course Swimmers.

Turn performances are important success factors for short-course races, and more consistent turn times may distinguish between higher and lower-ranked swimmers. Therefore, this study aimed to determine coefficients of variation (CV) and performance progressions (∆%) of turn performances. The eight finalists and eight fastest swimmers from the heats that did not qualify for the semi-finals, i.

The determinant factors of undulatory underwater swimming performance: A systematic review.

The prominence of undulatory underwater swimming (UUS) has been clearly observed during recent international events. Improvement of this phase is important for overall performance. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the key factors that modulate UUS performance and provide coaches and sports science practitioners with valuable and practical information to optimise it.

A new model of performance classification to standardize the research results in swimming.

The level of expertise must be defined for the sample studied when reporting research in sport. Concretely in swimming, apart from the participants' background, the competitive status is based on the level that swimmers participate. Thus, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) points are added to improve the sample level characterization.

Post-Eccentric Flywheel Underwater Undulatory Swimming Potentiation in Competitive Swimmers.

Underwater undulatory swimming (UUS) influences overall swimming performance, therefore swimmers should try to maximize it. This research aimed to: 1) assess the effects of an activation protocol based on post-activation performance enhancements upon UUS; and 2) evaluate the differences between males and females. Seventeen competitive swimmers (male = 10; female = 7) participated in a cross-sectional study designed to test performance in UUS at 10 m after a traditional swimming warm-up (TRA) and after adding to the TRA 4 maximal half-squat repetitions on an inertial flywheel device (PAPE).

Lower fatigue and faster recovery of ultra-short race pace swimming training sessions.

Ultra-short race-pace training (USRPT) is a high-intensity training modality used in swimming for the development of specific race-technique. However, there is little information about the fatigue associated to this modality. In a crossover design, acute responses of two volume-equated sessions (1000-m) were compared on 14 national swimmers: i) USRPT: 20×50-m; ii) RPT: 10×100-m.

Understanding the effects of training on underwater undulatory swimming performance and kinematics.

In swimming, the underwater phase after the start and turn comprises gliding and dolphin kicking, with the latter also known as underwater undulatory swimming (UUS). Swimming performance is highly dependent on the underwater phase; therefore, understanding the training effects in UUS and underwater gliding can be critical for swimmers and coaches. Further, the development of technique in young swimmers can lead to exponential benefits in an athlete's career.