Analysis of swimming performance: perceptions and practices of US-based swimming coaches

Abstract

In elite swimming, a broad range of methods are used to assess performance, inform coaching practices and monitor athletic progression. The aim of this paper was to examine the performance analysis practices of swimming coaches and to explore the reasons behind the decisions that coaches take when analysing performance. Survey data were analysed from 298 Level 3 competitive swimming coaches (245 male, 53 female) based in the United States. Results were compiled to provide a generalised picture of practices and perceptions and to examine key emerging themes. It was found that a disparity exists between the importance swim coaches place on biomechanical analysis of swimming performance and the types of analyses that are actually conducted. Video-based methods are most frequently employed, with over 70% of coaches using these methods at least monthly, with analyses being mainly qualitative in nature rather than quantitative. Barriers to the more widespread use of quantitative biomechanical analysis in elite swimming environments were explored. Constraints include time, cost and availability of resources, but other factors such as sources of information on swimming performance and analysis and control over service provision are also discussed, with particular emphasis on video-based methods and emerging sensor-based technologies.

Application of Video-Based Methods for Competitive Swimming Analysis: A Systematic Review

“…13 Coaches perceive that it takes too long to carry out quantitative analysis and this outweighs any perceived advantage of conducting such work. A recent study reported that it took approximately seven and a half hours to carry out manual digitization of a relatively small amount of footage, involving ten swimmers performing three dives each.…”

“…A central theme of this criticism is the time required to carry out video based procedures. 13,20,89 This is certainly limiting the frequency of quantitative video analysis performed in applied settings but is likely to also decrease qualitative video practices, given that video editing for multiple swimmers can be very labour intensive in its own right. It is unsurprising therefore that much research attention is currently focused on reducing the time taken to obtain pertinent information using video and on the automation of many of the laborious manual procedures involved.…”

“…12 The use of video in competitive swimming is widespread, with close to three quarters of coaches based in the United States using video on a monthly basis. 13 This is not unexpected as underwater video cameras can be positioned in ways that can record what the coach cannot see from the pool deck, thus providing him/her with additional insight into the athletes' performances. This is essential to ensure that swimmers develop a good technique, not just for performance gains but also to reduce the risk of injury.…”

“…13 This is intuitive as the qualitative process is more straightforward to implement in applied settings compared with quantitative practices. However, Lees 15 has argued that there is a lack of information regarding the specific qualitative methods used in elite sport and also a shortage of evidence of how successful this approach may be.…”

“…13 However, without a strong evidential basis for its efficacy, it is possible that coaches are not making the best use of the methods, leading to poor practice and potentially inefficient performance gains. Future research should focus on examining the merits of qualitative approaches in applied swimming settings.…”