Abstract

MORAIS, Jorge Estrela et al. Longitudinal intra- and inter-individual variability in young swimmers' performance and determinant competition factors. Motriz: rev. educ. fis. [online]. 2014, vol.20, n.3, pp.292-302. ISSN 1980-6574.  https://doi.org/10.1590/S1980-65742014000300008.

The main purpose of this study was to follow-up the intra- and inter-individual variability of young swimmers' performance and determinant factors over two competitive seasons. Thirty young swimmers (14 boys: 12.33±0.65 years-old; 16 girls: 11.15±0.55 years-old) were followed-up throughout two consecutive seasons (seven evaluation moments). Performance (100m freestyle), anthropometric, kinematic, hydrodynamic and efficiency features were evaluated. A gender and skill-level effect was observed. Boys improved in a higher amount (%) comparing to girls. Overall, swimmers in skill-level 2 (both genders) presented a higher intra-individual variability. Performance and anthropometrics showed a significant inter-individual variability in most moments, but hydrodynamics, kinematics and efficiency did not. Within each skill-level hydrodynamics, kinematics and efficiency were the variables that showed a high inter-individual variability. As a gender and skill-level effect was noticed in an age-group of young swimmers, coaches and practitioners should put the focus in specific and customized training plans for each skill-level of swimmers.

Keywords : young swimmers; seasons' variations; efficiency; stroke mechanics; anthropometrics.

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