Energetic and Biomechanical Contributions for Longitudinal Performance in Master Swimmers

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Swimming Performance Analysis

Background:

• Investigating seasonal changes in master swimmers is crucial for optimizing training.
• Understanding the interplay between physiological, biomechanical, and performance variables is key.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze changes in performance, physiological, and biomechanical variables in master swimmers over a competitive season.
• To identify factors contributing to performance improvements in master swimmers.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-three master swimmers were assessed three times during a season.
• Evaluated speed at 4 mmol·L⁻¹ blood lactate (sLT), maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), stroke frequency (SF), stroke length (SL), stroke index (SI), and propelling efficiency (η).
• Assessed 200m front crawl performance during competition.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in 200m front crawl performance were observed throughout the season (up to 4%).
• Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) increased by 18%, while speed at lactate threshold (sLT) increased by 4%.
• Stroke length (SL), stroke index (SI), and propelling efficiency (η) increased, while stroke frequency (SF) decreased.

Conclusions:

• Master swimmers demonstrated significant performance gains in the 200m front crawl over a season.
• Performance improvements were associated with enhanced technical aspects (increased SL, SI, η; decreased SF).
• Technical factors, rather than solely energetic adaptations, appeared to drive performance enhancements in master swimmers.