Identification of key somatic features that are common and the ones that differ between swim strokes through allometric modeling

Longitudinal effects of aerobic training programme on body composition in non-elite adolescent female swimmers

Introduction

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a 3-year swimming training programme on body fat measurements in adolescent girls, without prior selection.

Method

Two groups of 10-year-old girls were analysed at the beginning of the study (4th grade in primary school). The experimental group consisted of 14 swimmers (body mass: 34.99 ± 2.77 kg; height: 146.00 ± 3.05 cm). The control group consisted of 14 girls (body mass: 37.93 ± 6.02 kg; height: 145.55 ± 3.88 cm) who only participated in mandatory physical education classes. The study was conducted over a period of 3 years, with measurements taken every 6 months. Body fat was measured through the thickness of skinfolds at four anatomical locations: above the biceps; above the triceps; below the lower angle of the scapula; and above the superior iliac crest. Based on these measurements, the percentage of body fat was calculated.

Results

Statistical analysis revealed that despite the lack of initial selection, there was no significant difference in the percentage of body fat between the experimental and control groups at the start of the study-18.62% vs 24.85%. This difference persisted until the final measurement after 3 years, at which point it became statistically significant-17.31% vs 27.14% (F = 37.44, p < 0.05).

Discussion

Our findings indicate that 3 years of swimming training in adolescent girls resulted in a reduction in fat tissue growth across all four measurement sites. Initially, body fat percentage had a strong negative impact on VO2 max, particularly in the experimental group. However, this effect diminished in both groups over the course of the study.

Conclusion

Swimming may be an effective means of preventing obesity. Coaches should consider a slim physique in swimming candidates.

Streamlining performance prediction: data-driven KPIs in all swimming strokes

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for men's swimming strokes using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Multiple Regression Analysis to enhance training strategies and performance optimization. The analyses included all men's individual 100 m races of the 2019 European Short-Course Swimming Championships.

RESULTS

Duration from 5 m prior to wall contact (In5) emerged as a consistent KPI for all strokes. Free Swimming Speed (FSS) was identified as a KPI for 'continuous' strokes (Breaststroke and Butterfly), while duration from wall contact to 10 m after (Out10) was a crucial KPI for strokes with touch turns (Breaststroke and Butterfly). The regression model accurately predicted swim times, demonstrating strong agreement with actual performance. Bland and Altman analyses revealed negligible mean biases: Backstroke (0% bias, LOAs - 2.3% to + 2.3%), Breaststroke (0% bias, LOAs - 0.9% to + 0.9%), Butterfly (0% bias, LOAs - 1.2% to + 1.2%), and Freestyle (0% bias, LOAs - 3.1% to + 3.1%). This study emphasizes the importance of swift turning and maintaining consistent speed, offering valuable insights for coaches and athletes to optimize training and set performance goals. The regression model and predictor tool provide a data-driven approach to enhance swim training and competition across different strokes.