Longitudinal intra- and inter-individual variability in young swimmers’ performance and determinant competition factors

Longitudinal intra- and inter-individual variability in young swimmers’ performance and determinant competition factors

Authors

  • Jorge Estrela Morais Polytechnic Institute of Bragança/CIDESD, Bragança, Portugal
  • Mario J. Costa Polytechnic Institute of Guarda/CIDESD, Guarda, Portugal
  • Pedro Forte Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Bragança, Portugal
  • Mario C. Marques University of Beira Interior/CIDESD, Covilhã, Portugal
  • Antonio J. Silva University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro/CIDESD, Vila Real, Portugal
  • Daniel A. Marinho University of Beira Interior/CIDESD, Covilhã, Portugal
  • Tiago M. Barbosa Nanyang Technological University/CIDESD, Singapore

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5016/8602

Keywords:

young swimmers, seasons’ variations, efficiency, stroke mechanics, anthropometrics

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to follow-up the intra- and inter-individual variability of young swimmers’performance and determinant factors over two competitive seasons. Thirty young swimmers (14 boys: 12.33±0.65 years -old; 16 girls: 11.15±0.55 years-old) were followed-up throughout two consecutive seasons (seven evaluation moments). Performance (100m freestyle), anthropometric, kinematic, hydrodynamic and efficiency features were evaluated. A gender and skill-level effect was observed. Boys improved in a higher amount (%) comparing to girls. Overall, swimmers in skill-level 2 (both genders) presented a higher intra-individual variability. Performance and anthropometrics showed a significant inter-individual variability in most moments, but hydrodynamics, kinematics and efficiency did not. Within each skill-level hydrodynamics, kinematics and efficiency were the variables that showed a high inter-individual variability. As a gender and skill-level effect was noticed in an age-group of young swimmers, coaches and practitioners should put the focus in specific and customized training plans for each skill-level of swimmers.

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Published

2014-09-15

Issue

V. 20, N. 3 (2014)

Section

Original Articles

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