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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
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Swimming Performance Assessment in Fishes
Published on: May 20, 2011
Morning vs. evening maximal cycle power and technical swimming ability
Veronique J Deschodt1, Laurent M Arsac
1Faculté des Sciences du Sport et de l'Education Physique, Université Victor Segalen, Pessac cedex, France. veronique.deschodt@u-bordeaux2.fr
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|February 20, 2004
Summary
Swimmers exhibit better maximal power and technical skills in the evening compared to the morning. This diurnal variation in performance suggests the need for extensive warm-ups during morning competitions to mitigate these effects.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Human Physiology
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Performance in sports can be influenced by biological rhythms.
- Understanding diurnal variations is crucial for optimizing athletic performance.
- Previous research indicates time-of-day effects on physiological and technical abilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diurnal influences on maximal power and technical swimming ability.
- To assess how performance metrics change at different times of the day (8 AM, 1 PM, 6 PM).
- To correlate tympanic temperature with performance variations.
Main Methods:
- Maximal power was assessed using cycle tests.
- Technical swimming ability was evaluated by recording stroke length, stroke rate, and underwater hand movement.
- Tympanic temperature was measured before each testing session.
- Data were collected from swimmers at three distinct time points throughout the day.
Main Results:
- Tympanic temperature showed minor variations (+/-0.4°C) between morning and evening.
- Maximal power output was significantly higher (+7%) in the evening.
- Technical swimming parameters, including stroke length (+3%) and stroke rate (+5%), improved in the evening.
- Changes in underwater hand coordinates also indicated enhanced technical ability in the evening.
Conclusions:
- Diurnal variations significantly impact both maximal power and technical aspects of swimming performance.
- Evening performance levels are superior to morning levels due to these biological rhythms.
- Swimmers competing in the morning should implement extended warm-up protocols to counteract reduced performance potential.
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