Hydrodynamic profile of young swimmers: Changes over a competitive season

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the changes in the hydrodynamic profile of young swimmers over a competitive season and to compare the variations according to a well-designed training periodization. Twenty-five swimmers (13 boys and 12 girls) were evaluated in (a) October (M1); (b) March (M2); and (c) June (M3). Inertial and anthropometrical measures included body mass, swimmer's added water mass, height, and trunk transverse surface area. Swimming efficiency was estimated by the speed fluctuation, stroke index, and approximate entropy. Active drag was estimated with the velocity perturbation method and the passive drag with the gliding decay method. Hydrodynamic dimensionless numbers (Froude and Reynolds numbers) and hull velocity (i.e., speed at Froude number = 0.42) were also calculated. No variable presented a significant gender effect. Anthropometrics and inertial parameters plus dimensionless numbers increased over time. Swimming efficiency improved between M1 and M3. There was a trend for both passive and active drag increase from M1 to M2, but being lower at M3 than at M1. Intra-individual changes between evaluation moments suggest high between- and within-subject variations. Therefore, hydrodynamic changes over a season occur in a non-linear fashion way, where the interplay between growth and training periodization explain the unique path flow selected by each young swimmer.

Multigenerational performance development of male and female top‐elite swimmers–A global study of the 100 m freestyle event

“…Now, an intriguing question is which underlying performance characteristics (e.g., anthropometrical, technical, tactical, physiological, and psychological characteristics) contribute to the successful performance development toward top‐elite level. In here, it is important to consider that the underlying performance characteristics are influenced by maturation, learning, and training and that athletes always develop in and with their environment. The environment (e.g., parents, coaches, talent development programs, competition, and training facilities) plays a crucial role in developing the underlying performance characteristics .…”

Determinant Factors of Long-Term Performance Development in Young Swimmers

“…The dv is a feasible way to analyze the swimmers' overall stroke mechanics, as it measures the ratio between the acceleration and deceleration within each stroke cycle, allowing to: identify critical points in the different phases of each cycle, and collect relevant data for practitioners and coaches. 15 Efficiency data collection…”

Variation of Linear and Nonlinear Parameters in the Swim Strokes According to the Level of Expertise

“…A speedo-meter cord (Swim speedo-meter, Swimsportec, Hildesheim, Germany) was attached to the swimmer's hip (Barbosa et al, 2015). The speedo-meter was set on the forehead-wall of the swimming pool.…”

“…It was reported that ApEn was higher for elderly than young subjects in walking at 100 steps/ minute and 120 steps/minute (Arif, Ohtaki, Nagatomi & Inooka, 2004). In young swimmers, the ApEn decreased, becoming more predictble, over a season and this was coupled with a performance enhancement (Barbosa, Morais, Marques, Silva, Marinho & Kee, 2015). Thus, both land-based and aquatic locomotion seem to involve a given degree of unpredictability.…”

“…The ApEn has been selected for the analysis of youth and elderly gait (Arif, Ohtaki, Nagatomi & Inooka, 2004), as well as young swimmers but only at Frontcrawl (Barbosa, Morais, Marques, Silva, Marinho & Kee, 2015). It was reported that ApEn was higher for elderly than young subjects in walking at 100 steps/ minute and 120 steps/minute (Arif, Ohtaki, Nagatomi & Inooka, 2004).…”