Biophysical Follow-up of Age-Group Swimmers During a Traditional Three-Peak Preparation Program

Abstract

Zacca, R, Azevedo, R, Ramos, VR, Abraldes, JA, Vilas-Boas, JP, Castro, FAdS, Pyne, DB, and Fernandes, RJ. Biophysical follow-up of age-group swimmers during a traditional three-peak preparation program. J Strength Cond Res 34(9): 2585–2595, 2020—The aim of this study was to quantify changes and contributions of bioenergetic, technique, and anthropometric profiles across a traditional 3-peak swimming season. Twenty-four age-group swimmers (11 boys: 15 years 6 months ± 1 year 1 month; 13 girls: 14 years 5 months ± 10 months) of equal maturational stage were monitored through a 400-m test in front crawl (T400). Bioenergetic, technique, and anthropometric characteristics were compared before and after macrocycles I, II and III. Sex interaction was verified only for amplitude of the fast oxygen uptake component and height (moderate). Multiple linear regressions and principal component analysis were used to identify the most influential variables and the relative contribution of each domain (bioenergetics, technique, and anthropometrics) to changes in swimming performance of T400. The relative contributions for the performance of T400 after macrocycles I, II, and III were, respectively, 6, 18, and 27% for bioenergetics, 88, 69, and 54% for technique, and 6, 13, and 20% for anthropometrics. Technique was the biggest contributor (71%) for changes in the performance of T400 over the training season, followed by bioenergetics (17%) and anthropometrics (12%). Technique played the main role during the competitive season, regardless of gradual increase in the contribution of bioenergetics and anthropometrics. Despite that, bioenergetics and technique are closely connected, thus a powerful and endurable metabolic base and cannot be overlooked. Changes and contribution of bioenergetics, technique, and anthropometrics on age-group swimmers' performance over a traditional 3-peak swimming season could be described by the T400 swimming test, providing a comprehensive biophysical overview of the main contributors to swimming performance.

Physiological and Biomechanical Evaluation of a Training Macrocycle in Children Swimmers

“…In addition to the previous research in short distance performance, the 400-m test has attracted attention in swimming research [10,11,12,13], probably because during a maximum 400-m effort, swimmers normally attain their maximum oxygen uptake with this distance being used for the aerobic power evaluation [10,11,12,13,14]. It is expected that both energetic and biomechanical factors contribute to 400-m performance depending on the training period content [10,11]. Moreover, cardiovascular adaptations are starting in early childhood [15], which may be related to fitness level and performance.…”

“…Moreover, cardiovascular adaptations are starting in early childhood [15], which may be related to fitness level and performance. Previous studies elaborate and quantify the importance of anthropometry, energetic, and biomechanical variables previously reported to be significantly related to 400-m performance in boy and girl swimmers [10,11,12,13]. However, the contribution of the biomechanical, anthropometric, and energetic variable was examined over a long duration period of two years [12,13].…”

“…It would be helpful for coaches and scientists to better understand metabolic and biomechanical changes occurring within a macrocycle preparation that may be connected to 400-m performance. Normally, the training content varies between training periods, enhancing technical ability in the preparatory period and metabolic stress in the competitive period [6,7,10,11].…”

Modelling the 200 m Front-Crawl Performance Predictors at the Winter Season Peak

“…Costa et al [14] used hierarchical linear modelling and reported that performance improvements (0.11, 1.21 and 0.36 s) throughout two consecutive seasons were mainly due to the duration to reaching a blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol•L −1 , the stroke frequency and the stroke length variations. Nonetheless, Zacca et al [15] reported that technical factors in age group swimmers had the highest contribution (71%) to the changes in 400 m front crawl performance over a competitive season, followed by bioenergetics (17%) and anthropometrics (12%).…”

VO2FITTING: A Free and Open-Source Software for Modelling Oxygen Uptake Kinetics in Swimming and other Exercise Modalities

“…From a diversity of tests, variables and prediction models [2,3,4], sports scientists characterize dynamic profiles (kinetics) of cardiorespiratory variables to better understand the control mechanisms of muscle energetics and oxidative metabolism [4]. These profiles can inform the preparation of the annual training plan, periodization of training mesocycles and microcycles and the prescription of individual training sets [5]. However, for the effective application of cardiorespiratory variables, a detailed understanding of the basic principles of oxygen uptake (VO 2 ) kinetics is required.…”