Physical fitness and critical speed of young swimmers: evaluation of two distinct moments compared with two maturation stage strategies
Abstract
Introduction: In swimming, the use of Critical Speed (CS) can assist in managing training loads and intensities. Objective: To evaluate the physical fitness and estimate the CS of young swimmers at two distinct moments, considering two strategies for maturity stages. Materials and Methods: A longitudinal observational study conducted over 25 weeks. The sample consisted of 7 boys, regional-level competitors, with an average age of 14.43±0.98 years at moment 1, and 15.00±0.82 years (p=0.03) at moment 2. At each moment, three assessment sessions were carried out to characterize (height, wingspan, trunk-cephalic height, and body mass) and conduct 100m, 200m, and 400m crawl swimming tests. Maturation was estimated using Tanner stages and peak growth velocity (PGV). Results: There was no effect of maturation on anthropometry or performance at moment 1 (F=0.75; p=0.66) and moment 2 (F=0.34; p=0.81). At moment 1, significant correlations were found between maturity stage (Tanner) and the 400m test (rho= -0.866, p=0.012) and with critical speed (rho=0.87; p=0.01), as well as between wingspan and performance in the 200m test (r=0.87; p=0.01). Conclusions: There was no significant change in anthropometric or performance variables over the 25 weeks. However, it is observed that maturation influences physical aspects throughout youth development.
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