Multigenerational performance development of male and female top‐elite swimmers–A global study of the 100 m freestyle event

Abstract

Background The present study investigated longitudinally the performance development of a multigenerational sample of competitive swimmers. The aim of the study was to provide unique insight into the junior toward senior performance development of those few who reached top‐elite level. Season Best Times (SBT) of 100 m freestyle performance of international swimmers, (1.305 males, aged 12‐26 and 1.841 females, aged 12‐24) competing in at least five seasons between 1993 and 2018, were corrected for the prevailing world record (WR). Swim performance was defined as a relative measure: relative Season Best Time=(SBT/WR) × 100. Based on rSBT, four performance groups were defined: top‐elite, elite, sub‐elite, and high‐competitive. Results Univariate analyses of variance showed that male top‐elite swimmers outperformed high‐competitive swimmers from the age of 12, sub‐elite swimmers from the age of 14 and elite swimmers from the age of 18 while female top‐elite swimmers outperformed high‐competitive and sub‐elite swimmers from the age of 12 and elite swimmers from the age of 14 (P < .05). Frequency analysis showed that male top‐elite swimmers for the first time achieved top‐elite level between the 17 and 24 years old (mean age of 21) while female top‐elite swimmers started to perform at top‐elite level between the 14 and 24 years old (mean age of 18). Conclusion Male and female top‐elite swimmers are characterized by a high‐performance level from 12 years on and progressively outperform swimmers from similar age. However, this goes together with a large variety in the individual pathways toward top‐elite level within and between sexes.

Variation in competition performance, number of races, and age: Long-term athlete development in elite female swimmers

“…social background, training modalities, and genetics [20,50]. With the reduced gender difference in performance throughout recent years [1,2], lower age of elite and peak performance in female swimmers [4,27], and previously emphasized need for comprehensive performance PLOS ONE evaluations and identification of success factors specific to elite female athletes [28,29], for the present study, all female swimmers competing in single events at the 2018EC were included. As potential gender effects may exist, future studies should investigate AVCP, number of races per year, and age in male swimmers.…”

“…With the usual talent pathway, children start competitive swimming at the age of 8-10 [46]. Due to earlier biological maturation [47], female swimmers reach a competitive level for elite performance three year earlier than males, which is as early as by the age of 18 yrs [4]. Depending on the race distance, performance peaks by the age of 21.9 to 26.1 yrs [27].…”

“…With the improved swimming performance and minimal gap between top swimmers [3], marginal differences distinguish between first and second place, such as at the 2018 European Long-Course Swimming Championships (2018EC), where the women's Freestyle final was won by only 0.01s and a 0.04% performance difference. As female swimmers reach elite performance three years earlier than males, potential success factors may be found throughout the early athlete development process at junior level [4]. As swimming has been performed in 50m pools for decades and performance is hardly influenced by environmental factors, such success factors throughout the long-term development of young swimmers may be investigated based on competition performances and race results [4].…”

“…As female swimmers reach elite performance three years earlier than males, potential success factors may be found throughout the early athlete development process at junior level [4]. As swimming has been performed in 50m pools for decades and performance is hardly influenced by environmental factors, such success factors throughout the long-term development of young swimmers may be investigated based on competition performances and race results [4]. Water temperature must be 25 to 28˚C and with a current � 1.25 m per minute.…”

Competition-Based Success Factors During the Talent Pathway of Elite Male Swimmers

“…The men's recent Olympic 50 m freestyle final was won by only a 100th of a second (IOC, 2016a ). Such marginal differences in race results of top swimmers have evoked interest in success factors at all competition levels, from elite to junior swimmers (Stewart and Hopkins, 2000 ; Pyne et al, 2004 ; Post et al, 2020 ). For scientific and longitudinal race analyses, Olympic pool swimming provides highly standardized conditions, due to FINA (Fédération International de Natation) rules (FINA, 2020b ).…”