Underwater and Surface Swimming Parameters Reflect Performance Level in Elite Swimmers

Although the role of underwater phases is well-known, no study has taken an interest in describing and quantifying the distance and time spent in apnea as a condition for optimal performance. This study aimed to investigate the impact of time and distance spent underwater and surface parameters on the swimming performance of elite swimmers. The performances of 79 swimmers in 100-m freestyle were analyzed (short-course). The underwater and spatiotemporal parameters of three groups have been recorded: finalists of the 2018 World Swimming Championships (WORLD), French swimmers who reached a 100 m performance time under 50 s at the 2018 French National Championships (UND50), and those who reached a 100 m performance time above 50 s (UP50). The WORLD group spent more distance underwater (37.50 ± 4.92 m) in comparison with UND50 (31.90 ± 4.88 m, p < 0.05) and UP50 (31.94 ± 4.93 m, p < 0.01) groups. The total percentage of non-swimming time was higher for WORLD (39.11 ± 4.73%) vs. UND50 (34.21 ± 4.55%, p < 0.05) and UP50 (33.94 ± 5.00%, p < 0.01). In addition, underwater speed was higher for WORLD (2.54 ± 0.05 m/s) compared with UND50 (2.46 ± 0.09 m/s, p < 0.05) and UP50 (2.38 ± 0.11 m/s, p < 0.01). Three parameters among the underwater phases (i.e. distance underwater, speed underwater, and total percentage of non-swimming time) determine the 100-m freestyle short course performance. These data suggest an appropriate focus on specific apnea training to improve underwater skills during short-course swimming performances.

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The Impact of COVID-19 on the Preparation for the Tokyo Olympics: A Comprehensive Performance Assessment of Top Swimmers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18189770 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (18) ◽

pp. 9770

Author(s):

Emese Csulak ◽

Árpád Petrov ◽

Tímea Kováts ◽

Márton Tokodi ◽

Bálint Lakatos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Swimming Performance ◽

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test ◽

Composition Analysis ◽

Patient History ◽

Short Term ◽

Vo2 Max ◽

Sports Cardiology ◽

Elite Swimmers ◽

Performance Results ◽

The Impact

Background: The Olympic preparation of athletes has been highly influenced by COVID and post-COVID syndrome. As the complex screening of athletes is essential for safe and successful sports, we aimed to repeat the 2019-year sports cardiology screening of the Olympic Swim Team before the Olympics and to compare the results of COVID and non-COVID athletes. Methods: Patient history, electrocardiogram, laboratory tests, body composition analysis, echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) were performed. We used time-ranking points to compare swimming performance. Results: From April 2019, we examined 46 elite swimmers (24 ± 4 years). Fourteen swimmers had COVID infection; all cases were mild. During CPET there was no difference in the performance of COVID (male: VO2 max 55 ± 4 vs. 56.5 ± 5 mL/kg/min, p = 0.53; female: VO2 max 54.6 ± 4 vs. 56 ± 5.5 mL/kg/min, p = 0.86) vs. non-COVID athletes (male VO2 max 56.7 ± 5 vs. 55.5 ± 4.5 mL/kg/min, p = 0.50; female 49.6 ± 3 vs. 50.7 ± 2.6 mL/kg/min, p = 0.47) between 2019 and 2021. When comparing the time results of the National Championships, 54.8% of the athletes showed an improvement (p = 0.75). Conclusion: COVID infection with short-term detraining did not affect the performance of well-trained swimmers. According to our results, the COVID pandemic did not impair the effectiveness of the preparation for the Tokyo Olympics.

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The Rise of Elite Short-Course Triathlon Re-Emphasises the Necessity to Transition Efficiently from Cycling to Running

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports7050099 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

pp. 99

Author(s):

Joel A. Walsh

Keyword(s):

Negative Impact ◽

Swimming Performance ◽

Future Research ◽

Experimental Population ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Running Performance ◽

Short Course ◽

Research Findings ◽

Overall Performance ◽

The Impact

Transitioning efficiently between cycling and running is considered an indication of overall performance, and as a result the cycle–run (C–R) transition is one of the most researched areas of triathlon. Previous studies have thoroughly investigated the impact of prior cycling on running performance. However, with the increasing number of short-course events and the inclusion of the mixed relay at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, efficiently transitioning from cycle–run has been re-emphasised and with it, any potential limitations to running performance among elite triathletes. This short communication provides coaches and sports scientists a review of the literature detailing the negative effects of prior variable-cycling on running performance experienced among elite, short-course and Olympic distance triathletes; as well as discussing practical methods to minimise any negative impact of cycling on running performance. The current literature suggests that variable-cycling negatively effects running ability in at least some elite triathletes and that improving swimming performance, drafting during cycling and C–R training at race intensity could improve an athlete’s triathlon running performance. It is recommended that future research clearly define the performance level, competitive format of the experimental population and use protocols that are specific to the experimental population in order to improve the training and practical application of the research findings.

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Body Height and Swimming Performance in 50 and 100 m Freestyle Olympic and World Championship Swimming Events: 1908 - 2016

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2018-0068 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. 205-213 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Facundo Mazzilli

Keyword(s):

Female Athletes ◽

Swimming Performance ◽

Body Height ◽

Progressive Increase ◽

Careful Consideration ◽

Genetic Profile ◽

Separate Analysis ◽

Elite Swimmers ◽

Selection Of

AbstractThere are scattered data showing an increase in the height of Olympic and World Championships swimmers. To identify a possible historical trend, a study of the height of 50 and 100 m freestyle medalists at the Olympic Games and the World Championships between 1908 and 2016 was undertaken. 370 swimmers (186 men and 184 women) were studied. A progressive increase in the height of men’s medalists (r = 0.49, p < 0.001) was detected. With regard to women’s medalists, an increase (r = 0.383, p < 0.01) was also found. To provide a sort of confirmation of this trend, a separate analysis of swimmers achieving new official swimming records, not included in the initial design of the study, was undertaken and a similar and also significant trend was seen in this case in both male and female athletes. This study confirms and greatly expands the observation of other authors, and raises the question of whether the increase in the stature of elite swimmers is simply a reflection of the increase in height of the general population or whether other factors, such as a possible role of training, should be considered. The ethical aspects of an early selection of swimmers perhaps based on the genetic profile of youngsters deserves careful consideration.

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Intergroup Threat and Outgroup Attitudes

Social Psychology ◽

10.1027/1864-9335/a000127 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 44 (5) ◽

pp. 311-319 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Marco Brambilla ◽

David A. Butz

Keyword(s):

Gay Men ◽

Social Group ◽

Welfare Recipients ◽

Intergroup Attitudes ◽

Social Policies ◽

Intergroup Threat ◽

Economic Threat ◽

The Impact ◽

General Climate

Two studies examined the impact of macrolevel symbolic threat on intergroup attitudes. In Study 1 (N = 71), participants exposed to a macrosymbolic threat (vs. nonsymbolic threat and neutral topic) reported less support toward social policies concerning gay men, an outgroup whose stereotypes implies a threat to values, but not toward welfare recipients, a social group whose stereotypes do not imply a threat to values. Study 2 (N = 78) showed that, whereas macrolevel symbolic threat led to less favorable attitudes toward gay men, macroeconomic threat led to less favorable attitudes toward Asians, an outgroup whose stereotypes imply an economic threat. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for understanding the role of a general climate of threat in shaping intergroup attitudes.

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