Underwater and Surface Swimming Parameters Reflect Performance Level in Elite Swimmers

Pla, Robin; Poszalczyk, Gauthier; Souaissia, Cyrine; Joulia, Fabrice; Guimard, Alexandre

doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.712652

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 27 publications

(52 reference statements)

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“…When underwater distances were fully extended, while maintaining the total 75 m time (condition 3), the underwater distances of youth swimmers reached around 10 m with seven underwater kicks and altogether comprised 36% of the total swimming time. These values reached a similar contribution for the non-swimming times of international and national level male swimmers when at front-crawl events (Pla et al, 2021). Regardless of the experimental condition, distances traveled underwater from a dive start (lap 1) were 3-3.5 m longer than when pushing off the turning wall (laps 2 and 3).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

“…When youth swimmers (male and females) spontaneously distributed their effort between underwater and surface sections (condition 1), they performed between one and two kicks less and traveled underwater distances around 1 m shorter than those reported for elite swimmers in the 200 m World Championships races . However, their average velocity during underwater swimming was considerably slower than that of male elite swimmers, who maintain values above 2 m/s (Pla et al, 2021). As expected, the average underwater velocity tended to decrease in the experimental conditions, where underwater sections lasted longer, but interestingly swimmers maintained their underwater velocity when they were constrained to adding only two underwater kicks per lap (condition 2).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 50%

“…In line with the aforementioned factors, analysis of the 100 m and 200 m races at the World Swimming Championships revealed that small changes in the underwater distance and velocity traveled by elite swimmers could have a great impact on the overall race results . Indeed, the relative contribution of the underwater parts to the overall swimming race distances has increased considerably over the last 20 years (Veiga et al, 2014), and the percentage of non-swimming time (underwater) can even discriminate between swimmers of different skill levels (Pla et al, 2021). Accordingly, in recent years, procedures for swimming race analysis in elite competitions have incorporated a more comprehensive approach, where both times at fixed distances (i.e., 15 m start or turn times) and also individual underwater distances traveled by swimmers have been measured.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Extended Underwater Sections on the Physiological and Biomechanical Parameters of Competitive Swimmers

et al. 2022

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Despite changes in the underwater sections of swimming races affecting overall performance, there is no information about the effects of the apnea-induced changes on the physiological state of competitive swimmers. The aim of the present research was to examine the effect of changes in the underwater race sections on the physiological [blood lactate concentration, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE)] and biomechanical (underwater time, distance, and velocity) parameters of competitive swimmers. Twelve youth competitive swimmers belonging to the national team (706 ± 28.9 FINA points) performed 2 × 75 m efforts under three different conditions, while maintaining a 200 m race pace: (1) free underwater sections, (2) kick number of condition 1 plus two kicks, and (3) maximum distance underwater. Overall performance was maintained, and underwater section durations increased from condition 1 to 3 as expected according to the experimental design. Heart rate and blood lactate concentration values did not show differences between conditions, but the RPE values were significantly greater (F2, 36 = 18.00, p = 0.001, η2: 0.50) for the constrained (conditions 2 and 3) vs. the free underwater condition. Underwater parameters were modified within the 75 m efforts (lap 1 to lap 3), but the magnitude of changes did not depend on the experimental condition (all lap × condition effects p > 0.05). Controlled increases of underwater sections in trained swimmers can led to optimizing performance in these race segments despite small increases of perceived discomfort.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 50%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Extended Underwater Sections on the Physiological and Biomechanical Parameters of Competitive Swimmers

et al. 2022

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“…Future studies could use regression analyses to compare effects across a larger sample size. Further limitations are the missing breakout distances, which provide key performance indicators for turn performances [50]. While only freestyle races were analyzed, future studies should investigate variation in turn performances in other swimming strokes, including a different turn type, i.e., open turns in butterfly and breaststroke.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Turn Performance Variation in European Elite Short-Course Swimmers

Cuenca-Fernández

Ruiz-Navarro

Polach

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Turn performances are important success factors for short-course races, and more consistent turn times may distinguish between higher and lower-ranked swimmers. Therefore, this study aimed to determine coefficients of variation (CV) and performance progressions (∆%) of turn performances. The eight finalists and eight fastest swimmers from the heats that did not qualify for the semi-finals, i.e., from 17th to 24th place, of the 100, 200, 400, and 800 (females only)/1500 m (males only) freestyle events at the 2019 European Short Course Championships were included, resulting in a total of 64 male (finalists: age: 22.3 ± 2.6, FINA points: 914 ± 31 vs. heats: age: 21.5 ± 3.1, FINA points: 838 ± 74.9) and 64 female swimmers (finalists: age: 22.9 ± 4.8, FINA points: 904 ± 24.5 vs. heats: age: 20.1 ± 3.6, FINA points: 800 ± 48). A linear mixed model was used to compare inter- and intra-individual performance variation. Interactions between CVs, ∆%, and mean values were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed impaired turn performances as the races progressed. Finalists showed faster turn section times than the eight fastest non-qualified swimmers from the heats (p < 0.001). Additionally, turn section times were faster for short-, i.e., 100 and 200 m, than middle- and long-distance races, i.e., 400 to 1500 m races (p < 0.001). Regarding variation in turn performance, finalists showed lower CVs and ∆% for all turn section times (0.74% and 1.49%) compared to non-qualified swimmers (0.91% and 1.90%, respectively). Similarly, long-distance events, i.e., 800/1500 m, showed lower mean CVs and higher mean ∆% (0.69% and 1.93%) than short-distance, i.e., 100 m events (0.93% and 1.39%, respectively). Regarding turn sections, the largest CV and ∆% were found 5 m before wall contact (0.70% and 1.45%) with lower CV and more consistent turn section times 5 m after wall contact (0.42% and 0.54%). Non-qualified swimmers should aim to match the superior turn performances and faster times of finalists in all turn sections. Both finalists and non-qualified swimmers should pay particular attention to maintaining high velocities when approaching the wall as the race progresses.

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“…However, the performance level of the swimmers in previous studies was lower (688 ± 87 FINA points) compared to the present European championship finalists (890 ± 40 FINA points). Therefore, higher-ranked swimmers achieved faster underwater velocities and underwater distances were related to swimming performance (Pla et al, 2021). However, lack of oxygen due to restricted breathing results in apnea-induced discomfort (Veiga et al, 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance Development of European Swimmers Across the Olympic Cycle

Born

Schönfelder

Logan

et al. 2022

Front. Sports Act. Living

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The aims of the study were to (1) quantify the performance development of race times and key performance indicators of European swimmers across the last Olympic cycle (from 2016 to 2021) and (2) provide reference values for long-course swimming pool events for both sexes from 50 m to 1,500 m including butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle, and individual medley. Individual events from the 2016 and 2021 European swimming championships were included. Specifically, 246 men (age: 24.2 ± 3.4 years, FINA points: 890 ± 40) and 256 women races (age: 24.2 ± 4, FINA points: 879 ± 38) of the finalists were recorded and key performance indicators and split times analyzed. Performance differences in finalists of the 2016 and 2021 European championships were determined by an independent t-test and Cohen's d effect size. Reference values were retrieved from 2021 European championship finalists and are provided for all key performance indicators. Race times improved significantly (P < 0.05) or showed moderate (d = 0.5–1) to large effect sizes (d > 1) in 14 (men) and 6 (women) out of 16 events. Improvements were primarily evident in 100 m and 200 m events for males, as well as BR and sprint events for female swimmers. While start times improved in 15 (men) and 14 (women) events, turn times remained inconclusive in both sexes. Generally, breakout distances increased. Clean swimming velocities were faster in 12 (men) and 5 (women) events. In particular, for alternating swimming strokes, i.e., backstroke and freestyle, effect sizes indicated improved swimming efficiency with an inverse relationship between reduced stroke rate and increased distance per stroke. Coaches and performance analysts may use the present reference values as comparative data for race analyses and to specifically prepare swimmers for the various race sections. Data on the performance development should be used to analyze swimmers' potential and set goals for the various events and the next Olympic cycle.

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Underwater and Surface Swimming Parameters Reflect Performance Level in Elite Swimmers

Cited by 8 publications

References 27 publications

Effects of Extended Underwater Sections on the Physiological and Biomechanical Parameters of Competitive Swimmers

Effects of Extended Underwater Sections on the Physiological and Biomechanical Parameters of Competitive Swimmers

Turn Performance Variation in European Elite Short-Course Swimmers

Performance Development of European Swimmers Across the Olympic Cycle

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