Osorio, A., & De Leon, L. G. (2006). Stroke analysis during a maximal swimming speed test in children and adults. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38(5), Supplement abstract 2681.

This study examined the contribution of stroke frequency, stroke length, stroke index and total distance, on swimming performance, during a maximal speed test in children and adults. Male swimmers, 23 children 9-13 years old and 9 adults 18-23 years of age, performed a maximal 15-m front crawl swim test in two series; a timed 15-m lap only with the arms (legs supported) and a 15-m lap front crawl (with both arms and legs). Front crawl speed, stroke frequency, stroke length, stroke index (velocity multiplied by stroke length) and total distance (stroke frequency multiplied by stroke length) were measured. Groups were constituted according to full-swimming time. Group A (N = 13) included children who swam less than 12 seconds, group B (N = 10) comprised the rest of children, and group C (N = 9) consisted of the adults.

Adults were faster than the children's groups. Stroke index and total distance were higher in the adults' group than in the children's groups. Only total distance (stroke frequency multiplied by stroke length) showed a significant relationship with the front crawl maximal time score during the test in all Ss.

Implication. Total distance seems to be the best predictor of swimming performance in these Ss, while stroke index and the rest of variables were not significant.

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