Can a Simple Trapezoidal Integration Approach Accurately Estimate the Supra-Critical Speed Distance Capacity of a...

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Swimming Analytics

Background:

• The 12 × 25-m swim test is crucial for physiological monitoring in swimming, assessing parameters like critical speed (CS) and supra-CS distance capacity (D').
• Current methods for calculating D' require specialized software, limiting test accessibility for many coaches and athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate trapezoidal integration (TI) as a simpler, more accurate method for estimating D' from the 12 × 25-m swim test.
• To enhance the accessibility of this performance profiling tool for a broader range of swimming practitioners.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-one national-level swimmers' data from the 12 × 25-m swim test was analyzed.
• D' was calculated using both the established model fit method and the proposed TI approach.
• Linear regression, Pearson correlations, paired t-tests, and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the relationship and agreement between the two methods.

Main Results:

• A very strong positive correlation (r = .999) was observed between D' values calculated by TI and the model fit method.
• The difference between the two methods was minimal (0.040 m) and not statistically significant (P = .495).

Conclusions:

• Trapezoidal integration (TI) is a valid and reliable method for estimating D' in the 12 × 25-m swim test.
• This simplification eliminates the need for specialized software, significantly increasing the test's accessibility.
• The findings will empower a wider range of swimming coaches and athletes to utilize this valuable physiological monitoring tool.