Abstract
ObjectiveTo establish reference data on required competition age regarding performance levels for both sexes, all swimming strokes, and race distances and to determine the effect of competition age on swimming performance in the context of other common age metrics. In total, 36,687,573 race times of 588,938 swimmers (age 14.2 ± 6.3 years) were analyzed. FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) points were calculated to compare race times between swimming strokes and race distances. The sum of all years of race participation determined competition age.ResultsAcross all events, swimmers reach top-elite level, i.e. > 900 FINA points, after approximately 8 years of competition participation. Multiple-linear regression analysis explained up to 40% of variance in the performance level and competition age showed a stable effect on all race distances for both sexes (β = 0.19 to 0.33). Increased race distance from 50 to 1500 m, decreased effects of chronological age (β = 0.48 to − 0.13) and increased relative age effects (β = 0.02 to 0.11). Reference data from the present study should be used to establish guidelines and set realistic goals for years of competition participation required to reach certain performance levels. Future studies need to analyze effects of transitions between various swimming strokes and race distances on peak performance.
Highlights
At international competitions, i.e. European championships, chronological age was related to success [1], possibly due to accumulated training time and competition experience, i.e. deliberate practice, contributing to the achievement of top-elite performance [2, 3]
Multiple-linear regression analysis explained up to 40% of variance in the performance level and competition age showed a stable effect on all race distances for both sexes (β = 0.19 to 0.33)
Regression analysis explained up to 40% of variance in swimming performance, i.e. Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) points, and showed a significant effect of competition age, chronological age, and relative age (P < 0.001)
Summary
I.e. European championships, chronological age was related to success [1], possibly due to accumulated training time and competition experience, i.e. deliberate practice, contributing to the achievement of top-elite performance [2, 3]. The relative age, i.e. age-related difference between athletes born early and late in the year, affects talent selection and progression towards top-elite performance [10, 11]. By the age of 8 years, early compared to late in the year born individuals have a physical. By the age of 13, twice the number of Australian national level swimmers were born early in the year [11]. The main aim of the study was to determine the effect of competition age, i.e. accumulated years of competition participation, on swimming performance in the context of the other common age metrics, i.e. relative and chronological age. Reference data were established for competition age required to reach various performance levels across both sexes, all swimming strokes, and all race distances
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