title: Analysis of swimming performance from physical, physiological, and biomechanical parameters in young swimmers.
abstract: 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 25-m 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sport Pedagogy and Coacing Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu Estonia.
authors.forename: Jaak
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jürimäe
authors.forename: Kaja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Haljaste
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cicchella
authors.forename: Evelin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lätt
authors.forename: Priit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Purge
authors.forename: Aire
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leppik
authors.forename: Toivo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jürimäe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001132:Arm / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002648:Child; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D016552:Ergometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*