Determinantes del rendimiento deportivo de niñas preadolescentes en tres años de entrenamiento de natación

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.