The relationship between talent identification testing parameters and performance in elite junior swimmers. Issue 12 (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mitchell, Lachlan J.G.; Rattray, Ben; Saunders, Philo U.; Pyne, David B.
• Is Part Of: Journal of science and medicine in sport. Volume 21:Issue 12(2018)
• Page Start: 1281
• Page End: 1285
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: CS critical speed -- D' supra-critical speed distance capacity -- PHV peak height velocity; Adolescent athlete -- Growth -- Puberty -- Anaerobic capacity -- Event specialisation; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- physiology -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; Sportgeneeskunde; 617.102705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.05.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1440-2440

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: In elite age-group swimming it is unclear to what degree common assessments of anthropometric, jump performance and front-crawl critical speed (CS) correlate with competition performance. Design: Cross-sectional field study. Methods: Forty eight elite national-level junior swimmers (22 males, age 16.5 ± 1.2 y, 26 females, age 15.5 ± 1.1 y; mean ± SD) completed anthropometry tests, loaded and unloaded countermovement jumps and a series of front-crawl time-trials to determine CS and supra-CS distance capacity (D'). Years from peak height velocity (PHV) predicted from anthropometric data was used as a maturity indicator. Race performances within 3 months of testing were standardised to compare across distances and strokes. Multiple linear regression models were formulated using these data. Results: Loaded jump height, mass, D', PHV and humerus breadth best predicted 100 m performance in males (R 2 Adj = 0.88, p < 0.001), while loaded jump height, chest depth and sitting height predicted female 100 m performances (R 2 Adj = 0.74, p = 0.002). Loaded and unloaded jump height, mass, CS and PHV (R 2 Adj = 0.73, p = 0.003) and CS and chest depth (R 2 Adj = 0.33, p = 0.03) predicted 200 m performance in males and females respectively. Conclusions: Common assessments of power and aerobic capacity in elite junior swimmers explain more variance in competition performance for male than female swimmers, as well as for 100 m rather than 200 m events. These findings highlight the need to empirically assess testing regimens and suggest new tests in this population may be required.