Which strength manifestation is more related to regional swimmers’ performance and in-water forces? Maximal neuromuscular capacities vs. maximal mechanical maintenance capacity Miras Moreno, Sergio López Belmonte, Óscar García Ramos, Amador Arellano Colomina, Raúl Ruiz Navarro, Jesús Juan Dry-land exercises linear position transducer load-velocity relationship velocity-based training sprint Purpose: To explore the association ofthe load–velocity (L-V) relationship variables and ability to maintain maximal mechanical performance during the prone bench-pull exercise with sprint swimming performance and in-water forces. Methods: Eleven competitive adult male swimmers (50-m front crawl World Aquatics points: 488 [66], performance level 4) performed 1 experimental session. The L-V relationship variables (L0 [ie, maximal theoretical load at 0 velocity]; v0 [ie, maximal theoretical velocity at 0 load], and Aline [ie, area under the L-V relationship]) and maximal mechanical maintenance capacity were assessed at the beginning of the session. Afterward, sprint swimming performance and in-water force production were tested through a 50-m front-crawl all-out trial and 15-s fully-tethered swimming, respectively. Results: Only v0 presented high positive associations with 50-m time and swimming kinematics (r > .532; P < .046). The L0, v0, and Aline showed very high positive associations with the in-water forces during tethered swimming (r > .523; P < .049). However, the ability to maintain maximal mechanical performance, assessed by the mean velocity decline during the prone bench pull, was only significantly correlated with stroke rate (r = −.647; P = .016) and stroke index (r = .614; P = .022). Conclusions: These findings indicate that maximal neuromuscular capacities, especially v0, have a stronger correlation with swimming performance and in-water force production than the ability to maintain maximal mechanical performance in level 4 swimmers. 2025-01-23T10:28:45Z 2025-01-23T10:28:45Z 2024-04-16 journal article Miras-Moreno, S., López-Belmonte, Ó., García-Ramos, A., Arellano, R., & Ruiz-Navarro, J. J. (2024). Which Strength Manifestation Is More Related to Regional Swimmers’ Performance and In-Water Forces? Maximal Neuromuscular Capacities Versus Maximal Mechanical Maintenance Capacity. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 19(6), 608-619. https://hdl.handle.net/10481/100119 10.1123/ijspp.2023-0475 eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ open access Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internacional