@misc{10481/81694,
year = {2023},
month = {3},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/81694},
abstract = {IntroductionTo investigate performance variation in all race sections, i.e., start, clean swimming, and turns, of elite short-course races for all swimming strokes and to determine the effect of performance variation on race results. MethodsComparing finalists and non-qualified swimmers, a total of 256 races of male swimmers (n = 128, age: 23.3 +/- 3.1, FINA points: 876 +/- 38) competing in the European short-course swimming championships were analyzed. The coefficient of variation (CV) and relative change in performance (Delta%) were used to compare intra-individual performance progression between rounds and inter-individual differences between performance levels using a linear mixed model. ResultsWhile most performance variables declined during the races (P < 0.005), performance was better maintained in 200 m compared to 100 m races, as well as in finalists compared to non-qualified swimmers. In 100 m races, Start Times improved between heats, semi-finals, and finals (P < 0.005) and contributed to the improved Split Times of Lap 1 in freestyle (P = 0.001, Delta = -1.09%), breaststroke (P < 0.001; Delta = -2.48%), and backstroke (P < 0.001; Delta = -1.72%). Swimmers increased stroke rate from heats/semi-finals to finals in freestyle (P = 0.015, Delta = 3.29%), breaststroke (P = 0.001, Delta = 6.91%), and backstroke (P = 0.005; Delta = 3.65%). Increases in stroke length and clean-swimming speed were only significant between rounds for breaststroke and backstroke (P < 0.005). In 200 m races, Total Time remained unchanged between rounds (P > 0.05), except for breaststroke (P = 0.008; CV = 0.7%; Delta = -0.59%). Start (P = 0.004; Delta = -1.72%) and Split Times (P = 0.009; Delta = -0.61%) only improved in butterfly. From the turn variables, OUT_5 m times improved towards the finals in breaststroke (P = 0.006; Delta = -1.51%) and butterfly (P = 0.016; Delta = -2.19%). No differences were observed for SR and SL, while clean-swimming speed improved between rounds in breaststroke only (P = 0.034; Delta = 0.96%). DiscussionPerformance of finalists progressed between rounds in 100 m but not 200 m races, most probably due to the absence of semi-finals. Progression in 100 m races was mainly attributed to improved Start and Split Times in Lap 1, while turn performances remained unchanged. Within round comparison showed higher performance maintenance in 200 m compared to 100 m events, which showed more pronounced positive pacing. Success of finalists was attributed to their overall higher performance level and superior progression between rounds.},
organization = {Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (Spanish Agency of Research)},
organization = {European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)},
organization = {PGC2018-102116-B-100 “SWIM II: Specific Water Innovative Measurements: Applied to the performance
improvement”},
organization = {Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture
and Sport: FPU17/02761},
publisher = {Frontiers Media},
keywords = {Competition analysis},
keywords = {Pacing},
keywords = {Race parameters},
keywords = {Swimming},
keywords = {Kinematic analysis},
title = {Short-course performance variation across all race sections: How 100 and 200 m elite male swimmers progress between rounds},
doi = {10.3389/fspor.2023.1146711},
author = {Cuenca Fernández, Francisco and Ruiz Navarro, Jesús Juan and Polach, Marek and Arellano Colomina, Raúl and Born, Dennis-Peter},
}