Shorter constant work rate cycling tests as proxies for longer tests in highly trained cyclists.

Severe-intensity constant work rate (CWR) cycling tests simulate the high-intensity competition environment and are useful for monitoring training progression and adaptation, yet impose significant physiological and psychological strain, require substantial recovery, and may disrupt athlete training or competition preparation. A brief, minimally fatiguing test providing comparable information is desirable. Purpose To determine whether physiological variables measured during, and functional decline in maximal power output immediately after, a 2-min CWR test can act as a proxy for 4-min test outcomes.

Bayesian prediction of winning times for elite swimming events.

To develop a statistical model of winning times for international swimming events with the aim of predicting winning time distributions and the probability of winning for the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games. The data set included first and third place times from all individual swimming events from the Olympics and World Championships from 1990 to 2019. We compared different model formulations fitted with Bayesian inference to obtain predictive distributions; comparisons were based on mean percentage error in out-of-sample predictions of Olympics and World Championships winning swim times from 2011 to 2019.

Predicting performance in 4 x 200-m freestyle swimming relay events.

Aim: The aim was to predict and understand variations in swimmer performance between individual and relay events, and develop a predictive model for the 4x200-m swimming freestyle relay event to help inform team selection and strategy.

Data And Methods: Race data for 716 relay finals (4 x 200-m freestyle) from 14 international competitions between 2010-2018 were analysed. Individual 200-m freestyle season best time for the same year was located for each swimmer.

Longitudinal Strength, Power, and Push-Start Performance Changes in a Skeleton Athlete: Case Study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to document the longitudinal strength and power characteristic changes and race performance changes of a skeleton athlete.

Method: Longitudinal strength and power changes were assessed with strength and power diagnostic testing over a 9-year period. Trends over 9 years for relative strength were analyzed using a linear model.

On-block mechanistic determinants of start performance in high performance swimmers.

This study aimed to 1) identify what starting block outcome kinetics have the greatest relationship to 15 m start time; 2) investigate key mechanistic determinants of the block phase and how these forces are sequenced. One hundred and fifty-two high-level competitive swimmers were included in the study. Linear mixed modelling identified four on-block outcome kinetic variables (work, average power, horizontal take-off velocity (HTOV), and average acceleration) as having a very large relationship (R = 0.

Monitoring the Heart Rate Variability Responses to Training Loads in Competitive Swimmers Using a Smartphone Application and the Banister Impulse-Response Model.

Purpose: First, to examine whether heart rate variability (HRV) responses can be modeled effectively via the Banister impulse-response model when the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) alone, and in combination with subjective well-being measures, are utilized. Second, to describe seasonal HRV responses and their associations with changes in critical speed (CS) in competitive swimmers.

Methods: A total of 10 highly trained swimmers collected daily 1-minute HRV recordings, sRPE training load, and subjective well-being scores via a novel smartphone application for 15 weeks.

Maturity-related developmental inequalities in age-group swimming: The testing of 'Mat-CAPs' for their removal.

Objectives: To (1) examine the association between maturity timing and performance-based selection levels in (N=708) Australian male 100-m Freestyle swimmers (12-17 years); (2) identify the relationship between maturation status and 100-m Freestyle performance; and (3) determine whether Maturation-based Corrective Adjustment Procedures (Mat-CAPs) could remove maturation-related differences in swimming performance.

Methods: In Part 1, maturity timing category distributions ('Early', 'Early Normative', 'Late Normative' and 'Late') for 'All', 'Top 50%' and '25%' of raw swimming times were examined within and across age-groups. In Part 2, multiple regression analyses quantified the relationship between maturity offset (YPHV) and swimming performance.

The non-linear relationship between sum of 7 skinfolds and fat and lean mass in elite swimmers.

Body composition can substantially impact elite swimming performance. In practice, changes in fat and lean mass of elite swimmers are estimated using body mass, sum of seven skinfolds (∑7) and lean mass index (LMI). However, LMI may be insufficiently accurate to detect small changes in body composition which could meaningfully impact swimming performance.

The impact of different training load quantification and modelling methodologies on performance predictions in elite swimmers.

The use of rolling averages to analyse training data has been debated recently. We evaluated two training load quantification methods (five-zone, seven-zone) fitted to performances over two race distances (50 and 100 m) using four separate longitudinal models (Banister, Busso. rolling averages and exponentially weighted rolling averages) for three swimmers ranked in the top 8 in the world.

Key performance indicators in Australian sub-elite rugby union.

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to determine which key performance indicators (PIs) were most important to success in sub-elite rugby union, and whether the analysis of absolute or relative data sets as a method for determining match outcome was stronger than the other.

Methods: Data was taken from 17 PIs from 76 matches across the 2018 Queensland Premier Rugby Union season. A random forest classification model was created using these data sets based on win/loss outcomes.

Responsiveness and Seasonal Variation of a 12x25m Swimming Test.

Purpose: Critical speed (CS) and supra-CS distance capacity (D') are useful metrics for monitoring changes in swimmers' physiological and performance capacities. However, the utility of these metrics across a season has not been systematically evaluated in high level swimmers.

Methods: Twenty-seven swimmers (18 female; age 19.

The relationship between talent identification testing parameters and performance in elite junior swimmers.

Objectives: In elite age-group swimming it is unclear to what degree common assessments of anthropometric, jump performance and front-crawl critical speed (CS) correlate with competition performance.

Design: Cross-sectional field study.

Methods: Forty eight elite national-level junior swimmers (22 males, age 16.

Reliability and validity of a modified 3-minute all-out swimming test in elite swimmers.

Critical speed (CS) testing is useful in monitoring training in swimmers, however, completing a series of time trials (TTs) regularly is time-consuming. The 3-minute test may be a solution with positive initial findings. This investigation examined whether a modified 3-minute test (12 × 25 m) could assess CS and supra-CS distance capacity (D') in swimmers.