title: Front Crawl Sprint Performance: A Cluster Analysis of Biomechanics, Energetics, Coordinative, and Anthropometric Determinants in Young Swimmers.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the determinants of front crawl sprint performance of young swimmers using a cluster analysis. 103 swimmers, aged 11- to 13-years old, performed 25-m front crawl swimming at 50-m pace, recorded by two underwater cameras. Swimmers analysis included biomechanics, energetics, coordinative, and anthropometric characteristics. The organization of subjects in meaningful clusters, originated three groups (1.52 ± 0.16, 1.47 ± 0.17 and 1.40 ± 0.15 m/s, for Clusters 1, 2 and 3, respectively) with differences in velocity between Cluster 1 and 2 compared with Cluster 3 (p = .003). Anthropometric variables were the most determinants for clusters solution. Stroke length and stroke index were also considered relevant. In addition, differences between Cluster 1 and the others were also found for critical velocity, stroke rate and intracycle velocity variation (p < .05). It can be concluded that anthropometrics, technique and energetics (swimming efficiency) are determinant domains to young swimmers sprint performance.
authors.affiliation: School of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sampaio
authors.forename: João Paulo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Vilas-Boas
authors.forename: Ricardo J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Fernandes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013550:Swimming