Determinants of pre-adolescent girls' sport performance in three-year swimming training

The aim of the study was to identify which anthropometric, physiological, and respiratory parameters are the most important determinants of 400 m front crawl swimming performance among prepubescent, non-elite female swimmers.

The study group consisted of 14 swimmers (mean biological age at baseline: 10.52 ± 0.37 years; body mass: 34.99 ± 2.77 kg; height: 146.00 ± 3.05 cm). The study was conducted over three years. The swimmers followed endurance training recommended by the British Swimming Federation. Every six months, the following parameters were measured: percentage of body fat, anthropometric variables, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, respiratory parameters [vital capacity [VC], forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV₁], forced vital capacity [FVC]], and a 400 m front crawl swimming test.

After accounting for multicollinearity, the most influential factors determining 400 m front crawl performance were foot dimensions, VC and % body fat. Other somatic and physiological predictors had a less of an impact on swimming performance.

The 400 m front crawl performance among prepubescent girls is not determined by aerobic capacity but rather by foot length and respiratory indicators.