Factors affecting children and adolescents 50 meter performance in freestyle swimming

This study investigated which factors influence performance in a short distance swimming test (50-meters) in adolescent swimmers.

Freestyle 50-meter personal best time (PBT) was registered for 67 swimmers (14.3±2.2 y; 46 males). Handgrip (HG), standing broad jump (SBJ), isometric knee-extension (KE), time to run 30 meters (V30m), maximal estimated oxygen-consumption (VO2max), swimming-technique (CTE), height, weight, fat mass, body fat percentage (BF%) and fat-free mass (FFM) were measured. Variables that presented correlation with PBT were further examined using multiple linear regressions.

PBT was correlated with SBJ, VO2max, HG, KE, CTE, Weight, Height, FFM, BF% and swimming hours per week (SHW). Multiple linear regressions showed that PBT was associated to Height, V30m, CTE and SBJ. Sex and age did not modify these associations.

PBT was found to be mainly associated with height, an anthropometric variable. SBJ and V30m, both fitness-related variables, highly influenced by muscle fiber type were also predictors, suggesting that for short distances physiological factors might be determinant to performance. Age modified predictive values suggesting that this is also a key factor to performance, and thus competitions during adolescence should be organized according to year of birth rather than by age category.