Longitudinal Development of Physical and Performance Parameters during Biological Maturation of Young Male Swimmers

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the development of specific physical, physiological, and biomechanical parameters in 29 young male swimmers for whom measurements were made three times for two consecutive years. During the 400-m front-crawl swimming, the energy cost of swimming, and stroking parameters were assessed. Peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) was assessed by means of the backward-extrapolation technique recording VO2 during the first 20 sec. of recovery period after a maximal trial of 400-m distance. Swimming performance at different points of physical maturity was mainly related to the increases in body height and arm-span values from physical parameters, improvement in sport-specific VO2 peak value from physiological characteristics, and improvement in stroke indices on biomechanical parameters. In addition, biomechanical factors characterised best the 400-m swimming performance followed by physical and physiological factors during the 2-yr. study period for the young male swimmers.

Gender and distance influence performance predictors in young swimmers

“…Previous studies with age-specific subjects and the data from the present study of children and adolescents provided evidence that in an aquatic environment the technique is important (Jürimäe et al, 2007;Lätt et al, 2010;Pelayo et al, 2007;Saavedra et al, 2010;Vitor & Böhme, 2010), and emphasized that experience (years) is a factor influencing its improvement as well, especially in youngsters, with an increase in body size (Grimston & Hay, 1986;Lätt et al, 2009). In addition, taller swimmers have the advantages of greater SL and consequently lower SR at any distance, thus improving their biomechanical pattern (represented by SI) (Jürimäe et al, 2007;Pelayo, Sidney, Kherif, Chollet, & Tourny, 1996;Wakayoshi, D'Acquisto, Cappaert, & Troup, 1995;Zamparo et al, 2008).…”

“…It is known that being an aquatic modality, swimming is largely dependent on technical skills and the optimal combination of stroke rate (SR) and length (SL) that results in maximal speed and great swimming economy (Pelayo, Alberty, Sidney, Pordevin, & Dekerle, 2007). However, in young individuals, all anthropometrical changes strongly influence these technical indexes and, consequently, performance itself (Jürimäe et al, 2007;Lätt et al, 2009;Zamparo et al, 2008).…”

“…Technical, physiological, and bodily parameters are identified as traditional adult performance predictors and major factors that influence performance improvement in youngsters, thereby highlighting differences between genders, different chronological ages, and maturational status throughout childhood and adolescence (Geladas, Nassis, & Pavlicevic, 2005;Jürimäe et al, 2007;Lätt et al, 2010;Lätt et al, 2009;Saavedra, Escalante, & Rodriguez, 2010;Vitor & Böhme, 2010;Zuniga et al, 2011).…”

“…The competitive participation and systematic training routine of swimmers usually start before puberty (Lätt et al, 2009); therefore, the performance of the young athletes depends not only on training but also on physical growth and development (Baxter-Jones, Eisenmann, & Sherar, 2005). Technical, physiological, and bodily parameters are identified as traditional adult performance predictors and major factors that influence performance improvement in youngsters, thereby highlighting differences between genders, different chronological ages, and maturational status throughout childhood and adolescence (Geladas, Nassis, & Pavlicevic, 2005;Jürimäe et al, 2007;Lätt et al, 2010;Lätt et al, 2009;Saavedra, Escalante, & Rodriguez, 2010;Vitor & Böhme, 2010;Zuniga et al, 2011).…”

Analyzing the Effects of 16 Weeks Swimming Exercises of Children Aged 7-13 on Anthropometric Measurements and Somatotype

“…Besides the mental and physical benefits, swimming is used in a wide range of rehabilitation activities that people with physical limitations restrictive to some other land sports can easily do as from heart disease to pregnant women, in the treatments of from osteoporosis patients to patients who have had an accident. It has been proven by many studies of exercise in adolescence that has positive effects on bone tissue (4,8,10,22). Swimming is a popular sport for all ages and it provides a very good cardiovascular condition without the need for weight stressful activities on musculoskeletal system.…”