title: Multivariate analysis of 200-m front crawl swimming performance in young male swimmers.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biomechanical (stroke rate, stroke length, and stroke index), anthropometrical (body height, body mass, body mass index, arm span, shoulders width, thigh, leg and upper arm lengths), and muscle architectural (muscle thickness, pennation angle, and fascicle length) parameters as predictors of 200-m front crawl swimming performance in young male swimmers. Twenty-two county level male swimmers (mean ±SD: age: 14.52 ± 0.77 years; body height: 173 ± 5 m; body mass: 60.5 ± 5.7 kg) performed a 200-m front crawl swimming test in a 25-m pool. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that biomechanical parameters (87%) characterized best 200-m front crawl swimming performance, followed by anthropometrical (82%) and muscle architectural (72%) parameters. Also, stroke length (R2 = 0.623), body height (R2 = 0.541), fascicle length of Triceps Brachii (R2 = 0.392) were the best single predictors that together explained 92% of the variability of the 200-m front crawl swimming performance in these swimmers. As a conclusion, with respect to higher performance prediction power of biomechanical parameters, technique should represent the core of the training program at these ages. In addition, these findings could be used for male young swimmers selection and talent identification.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport Science and Physical Education, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nasirzade
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport Science and Physical Education, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Heydar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sadeghi
authors.affiliation: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Azade
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sobhkhiz
authors.affiliation: University of Applied Science and Technology, Branch of Steel Azin Iranian, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Kamran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mohammadian
authors.affiliation: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ameneh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nikouei
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport Science and Physical Education, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baghaiyan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sport Science and Physical Education, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fattahi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D056352:Athletes; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009132:Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*; D014463:Ultrasonography