Interaction of Kinematic, Kinetic, and Energetic Predictors of Young Swimmers' Speed
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2025

A Rapidly Incremented Tethered-Swimming Maximal Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Assessment of Swimmers
Published on: January 28, 2020
Jorge E Morais1,2, Tiago M Barbosa1,2, José A Bragada1,2
1Department of Sport Sciences, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança,Portugal.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to assess the interaction of kinematic, kinetic, and energetic variables as speed predictors in adolescent swimmers in the front-crawl stroke.
Design:
Ten boys (mean age [SD] = 16.4 [0.7] y) and 13 girls (mean age [SD] = 14.9 [0.9] y) were assessed.
Methods:
The swimming performance indicator was a 25-m sprint. A set of kinematic, kinetic (hydrodynamic and propulsion), and energetic variables was established as a key predictor of swimming performance. Multilevel software was used to model the maximum swimming speed.
Results:
The final model identified time (estimate = -0.008, P = .044), stroke frequency (estimate = 0.718, P < .001), active drag coefficient (estimate = -0.330, P = .004), lactate concentration (estimate = 0.019, P < .001), and critical speed (estimate = -0.150, P = .035) as significant predictors. Therefore, the interaction of kinematic, hydrodynamic, and energetic variables seems to be the main predictor of speed in adolescent swimmers.
Conclusions:
Coaches and practitioners should be aware that improvements in isolated variables may not translate into faster swimming speed. A multilevel evaluation may be required for a more effective assessment of the prediction of swimming speed based on several key variables rather than a single analysis.
Related Concept Videos
Kinematic Equations - III
Using the kinematic equations,...
Kinematic Equations: Problem Solving
Kinematic Equations - II
Suppose a car merges into freeway traffic on a 200 m long ramp. If its initial velocity is 10 m/s and it accelerates at 2 m/s2, then the...
Kinematic Equations - I
Relative Motion Analysis - Velocity
When an external force is exerted, it sets the crank into a rotational movement. This, in turn, instigates the motion of the connecting rod, leading to what is referred to as a general plane motion. This process involves two key points - point A on the connecting rod...
Kinetic and Potential Energy of a Wave
In mechanical waves, the amount of energy is related to their amplitude and frequency. In the context of the above examples, large-amplitude earthquakes produce large...

