Junior Swimmers Research Articles

Swimmer's Shoulder: Ultrasound Anatomical Description of Shoulder Tendons in Elite Swimmers and Water Polo Players.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the differences in shoulder ultrasonographic parameters between overhead aquatic athletes and their relationship with shoulder pain. Methods: Sixty-four healthy junior subjects (n = 128 shoulders) participated in the study, including 17 healthy controls, 25 elite junior swimmers, and 22 elite junior water polo players. An ultrasonographic study of the shoulder was carried out to measure the thickness of the rotator cuff structures in sex- and age-paired groups. Results: Compared to controls, female and male swimmers and water polo players had thicker values in the rotator cuff tendons, including the subscapularis (SSB) (p < 0.001), supraspinatus (p < 0.001), infraspinatus (p < 0.001) and teres minor (Tm) (p < 0.025). The female swimmers had thicker values than the water polo players in the SSB (p < 0.001) and Tm (p < 0.011). In the comparison by sexes, the female controls had a thinner LHBB, SSB and Tm (p < 0.019), the female swimmers had a thinner ISP (p = 0.001), and the female water polo players had a thinner LHBB, SSB, ISP and acromiohumeral distance than their group-paired counterparts (p < 0.018). Finally, the females had a lower incidence of positive Jobe test results compared to the males (p = 0.018), which was associated with lower pain scores at rest (p < 0.034) and during training (p < 0.036). Conclusions: The rotator cuff tendon structures were larger in the healthy overhead aquatic athletes compared to the age- and sex-paired controls. The females had smaller values in the shoulder ultrasonographic tendon parameters compared to the age- and sport-paired males, except for the supraspinatus tendon.

CO110 Physical Examination of the Functional Status of the Hip and Spine in Junior Swimmers and Synchronised Swimmers

CO110 Physical Examination of the Functional Status of the Hip and Spine in Junior Swimmers and Synchronised Swimmers

The effect of a 400-meter freestyle swim at normal and high water temperatures on the relative volume of oxygen consumed by junior swimmers

The effect of a 400-meter freestyle swim at normal and high water temperatures on the relative volume of oxygen consumed by junior swimmers

Orthostasis Is Impaired Due to Fatiguing Intensive Acute Concentric Exercise Succeeded by Isometric Weight-Loaded Wall-Sit in Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness: A Pilot Study.

The aim of the study was to investigate any indication of diminished orthostatic tolerance as a result of fatiguing intensive acute concentric exercise with a successive isometric wall-sit followed by an orthostatic stress test, with a special focus on any distinguishable alterations due to a delayed-onset muscle soreness effect. The exercise protocol was carried out among nineteen (10 female, 9 male) junior swimmers from the Hungarian National Swim Team. All athletes showed a positive orthostatic stress test right after our exercise protocol. The diastolic blood pressure was significantly lower due to the delayed-onset muscle soreness effect in the standing position after the supine position of the orthostatic stress test, in contrast to the athletes who did not experience delayed-onset muscle soreness. Furthermore, the heart rate was dysregulated in athletes with a delayed-onset muscle soreness effect when they assumed a supine position after the sustained standing position during the orthostatic stress test, in contrast to the athletes without delayed-onset muscle soreness. Interesting to note is that, in three subjects, the sustained standing position decreased the heart rate below the level of the initial supine position and six athletes experienced dizziness in the standing position, and all of these athletes were from the group that experienced delayed-onset muscle soreness. Accordingly, this study, for the first time, demonstrated that delayed-onset muscle soreness impairs orthostasis after unaccustomed fatiguing intensive acute concentric exercise with a successive isometric weight-loaded wall-sit; however, validation of this association should be investigated in a larger sample size.

Race Analysis and Determination of Stroke Frequency - Stroke Length Combinations during the 50-M Freestyle Event.

The aims of this study were to: (1) analyze and compare the stroke kinematics between junior and senior elite male swimmers in every section of the race during the 50-m freestyle event, and; (2) identify stroke frequency (SF)-stroke length (SL) combinations on swim speed independently for junior and senior swimmers in each section of the 50-m freestyle event. Eighty-six junior swimmers (2019) and 95 seniors (2021) competing in the 50-m long course meter LEN Championships were analyzed. The t-test independent samples (p ≤ 0.05) were used to compare juniors and seniors. The SF and SL combinations on swim speed were explored using three-way ANOVAs. Senior swimmers were significantly faster in the 50-m race than juniors (p < 0.001). Speed presented the largest significant difference (p < 0.001) in section S0-15 m (start until the 15th meter mark) being seniors fastest. Both junior and senior swimmers revealed a significant categorization (p < 0.001) by stroke length and stroke frequency in each race section. It was possible to model several SF-SL combinations for seniors and juniors in each section. The fastest swim speed in each section, for seniors and juniors independently, was achieved by a SF-SL combination that may not be the fastest SF or the longest SL. Coaches and swimmers must be aware that despite the 50-m event being an all-out bout, several SF-SL combinations were observed (independently for juniors and seniors), and they differ between race sections.

Using Statistical Parametric Mapping to Compare the Propulsion of Age-Group Swimmers in Front Crawl Acquired with the Aquanex System.

Understanding the difference in each upper limb between age groups can provide deeper insights into swimmers’ propulsion. This study aimed to: (1) compare swimming velocity and a set of kinematical variables between junior and juvenile swimmers and (2) compare the propulsion outputs through discrete and continuous analyses (Statistical Parametric Mapping—SPM) between junior and juvenile swimmers for each upper limb (i.e., dominant and non-dominant). The sample was composed of 22 male swimmers (12 juniors with 16.35 ± 0.74 years; 10 juveniles with 15.40 ± 0.32 years). A set of kinematic and propulsion variables was measured at maximum swimming velocity. Statistical Parametric Mapping was used as a continuous analysis approach to identify differences in the propulsion of both upper limbs between junior and juvenile swimmers. Junior swimmers were significantly faster than juveniles (p = 0.04, d = 0.86). Although juniors showed higher propulsion values, the SPM did not reveal significant differences (p < 0.05) for dominant and non-dominant upper limbs between the two age groups. This indicates that other factors (such as drag) may be responsible for the difference in swimming velocity. Coaches and swimmers should be aware that an increase in propulsion alone may not immediately lead to an increase in swimming velocity.

CD3+/CD56+ NKT-like Cells Show Imbalanced Control Immediately after Exercise in Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness.

The purpose of the study was to carry out an immunophenotypical characterization with a special focus on natural killer cells of junior swimmers from the Hungarian National Swim Team before and after an intensive acute exercise. Nineteen swimmers, ten females and nine males, completed the exercise protocol. Sixteen swimmers experienced delayed-onset muscle soreness. Most of our findings substantiated earlier results, such as the increase in the percentage of the CD3−/CD56+ natural killer cells and the CD3−/CD56dim+ NK cells, and the decrease in the percentage of CD3+ T cells among lymphocytes after the exercise protocol. The drop of natural killer cell activity back to the pre-exercise level was in line with earlier findings. Interestingly, the percentage of CD3+/CD56+ NKT-like cells did not change significantly in those three swimmers who did not report delayed-onset muscle soreness. On the contrary, the percentage of CD3+/CD56+ NKT-like cells among lymphocytes increased in fourteen and decreased in two swimmers reporting delayed-onset muscle soreness. This study for the first time demonstrated a link between the delayed-onset muscle soreness and the imbalanced control of CD3+/CD56+ NKT-like cells among lymphocytes. However, validation of this association in a larger sample size study will be necessary.

The beneficial effects of dryland training on prepubertal swimmers – a case study

Abstract. Dryland training is an important part of any competitive swimmer’s programme. However, this non-specific training is usually neglected in prepubertal swimmers, its importance being recognised more often in junior and senior swimmers. This paper is a case study regarding the beneficial effects that a well-developed and suitable dryland training programme can have on a prepubertal swimmer’s results. The participant in this case study was a Romanian male swimmer born in 2010, who got the highest score at the National Championships in 2020. The detailed dryland programme (developed by the author of the current study) was followed by the athlete for a period of 7 months. The implementation of this programme took place between two national championships (October 2020 - June 2021). The specific objectives were: winning the title of national champion in 50-meter butterfly and making a progress of 2 seconds; ranking among the top three swimmers in 100-meter freestyle and making a progress of 4 seconds. After applying the programme, the athlete made a progress of 2.57 seconds and won first place in 50-meter butterfly. In 100-meter freestyle, he made a progress of 6.34 seconds and won second place. This paper emphasises the beneficial effects of an organised dryland training programme and also proposes a model of such a plan that can be followed by prepubertal swimmers.

Profiling of elite male junior 50m freestyle sprinters: Understanding the speed-time relationship.

The aim of this study was to (1) analyze and compare the race performance and stability between the fastest and slowest male swimmers during the 50m freestyle event, and (2) to understand the speed-time relationship in this race. The performances (start, clean swim, and finish) of 86swimmers (divided into two tiers: best and poorest performances) who competed in the 50m freestyle event in the 2019long course LEN European Junior Championships were analyzed. The swimming speed presented a significant difference between the groups (tier #1 vs tier #2) in all sections of the race, in which the start (S0-15m: p<0.001, d=1.64) and finish sections (S45-50: p<0.001, d=1.63) showed the greatest differences. Significant variances over the race sections were noted for both groups in all variables, in which the swimming speed was the variable with the highest variance (tier #1: p<0.001, η2 =0.72; tier #2: p<0.001, η2 =0.82). Both groups exhibited a similar normative stability, with the fastest swimmers tending to be the best in all sections. The fit analysis produced a cubic speed-time relationship. Notwithstanding, junior swimmers who raced the 50m freestyle can be considered to have an all-out pacing. This information is of paramount importance for coaches and swimmers to understand the intra-lap race performance in this short event.

The Effects Of 4 Weeks Of Hiit Training In Junior Swimmers

The Effects Of 4 Weeks Of Hiit Training In Junior Swimmers

Assessment of the inter-lap stability and relationship between the race time and start, clean swim, turn and finish variables in elite male junior swimmers’ 200 m freestyle

ABSTRACT The aims of this study were to: (1) assess the stability (mean and normative) of the lap performance, and a set of clean swim and turn variables of junior male swimmers in the 200 m freestyle, and; (2) verify the relationship between the start, clean swim, turn, and finish phases in the 200 m freestyle. Seventy-six individual races in the 200 m freestyle at the 2019 long-course LEN European Junior Championships were analysed. Start, clean swim, turn, and finish variables were assessed. The lap performance showed a significant variance. The highest variation was verified between the first and third lap (Coefficient of Variation = 7.37%). The clean swim and the total turn also presented a significant variance. Normative stability indicated a moderate to very-high stability for all variables. All phases of the race had significant correlations with the final race time (p < 0.001). The total turn (i.e., the total time spent to perform the turn), specifically turn #3, showed the largest correlation with the total race performance. The significant correlation between all phases of the race and the final race time indicates that coaches and swimmers should customise the swimmers’ preparation and race strategy at major international competitions, based on the individual characteristics of each swimmer.

Response of a number of physiological variables and the level of some triglycerides in the blood in junior swimmers

The study aimed to: Identifying some physiological variables and the level of triglycerides in the blood of short distance swimmers Identifying the differences between pre and post tests in some physiological variables and the level of triglycerides in the blood of young short distance swimmers The researchers assumed: The presence of significant differences in some physiological variables and the level of triglycerides in the blood of young short distance swimmers The presence of significant differences between the pre and post tests in some physiological variables and the level of triglycerides in the blood of young short distance swimmers The research sample consisted of junior swimmers after the two researchers deliberately identified the research community with the players of the Nineveh governorate swimming team for junior players, who are (8) players, and they are the same research sample The following statistical methods were used (arithmetic mean, standard deviation, percentage, t-test for correlated samples, coefficient of variation) and using the statistical package (SPSS) version (11.0) for the purpose of treating the data statistically The researchers concluded: The effort brought about a significant change in the body temperature variable The effort caused a significant change in the frequency of breathing The effort brought about a significant change in the heart rate variable The effort brought about a significant change in the systolic pressure variable The voltage brought about a significant change in the diastolic pressure variable Effort did not significantly change the triglyceride variable

An exploration of reciprocity between female athletes and their coach in elite junior swimming: a shared reality theory perspective

ABSTRACT Based on the proposition that the relationship between a coach and athlete is at its best when both parties contribute to enhancing its quality, the present study sought to investigate if Shared Reality Theory could provide new insights on the topic. Specifically, the purpose of the present study was to explore: (a) how a shared reality is established, or fails to be established, over the course of the sporting partnership between athletes and their coach; and (b) how the presence of a shared reality (or not) in the coach-athlete relationship is related to the experienced quality of the relationship between athletes and their coach, as recorded over time. Narrative inquiry, embedded within a longitudinal qualitative approach, was adopted. Six female elite junior swimmers and their head coach completing three interviews each over a 9-month period. Data were analysed using narrative thematic analysis, leading to the development of two narratives: A prevention-oriented narrative and a promotion-oriented narrative. Overall, the findings suggests that athletes who experience a shared reality with their coach are more motivated and report a higher sense of psychological well-being. To establish the experience of a shared reality, reciprocal and honest communication motivated by trust in the other is needed. Due to power imbalance, it is deemed important for coaches to be supportive and trustworthy to encourage athletes to communicate with them, so the coach and his/her athletes can work together in a synergistic manner.

Being a top swimmer during the early career is not a prerequisite for success: A study on sprinter strokes

ObjectivesTo quantify the junior-to-senior successful transition rate in sprint swimming events in elite European performers. DesignRetrospective analysis of publicly available competition data collected between 2004 and 2019. MethodsThe yearly performance of 6631 European swimmers (females = 41.8% of the sample) competing in 50 and 100 m freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly were included in the analysis. The junior-to-senior transition rate was determined as the number of elite junior athletes who maintained their elite status in adulthood. To investigate how the definition of elite may affect the calculation of the transition rate, we operationally defined elite athletes as those ranked in the all-time top 10, 25, 50, and 100 in their category. We also calculated the correlation between junior and senior performances. ResultsThe average transition rates ranged, depending on the age of reference, from 10 to 26% in males and from 23 to 33% in females. The transition rate for the top 100 junior swimmers was greater than that for the top 10 swimmers. In general, swimmers who swam 50 m showed a slightly lower transition rate compared with those that swam 100 m. Depending on the age of reference, low-to-moderate correlations were observed between junior and senior peak performances. ConclusionsMost elite junior athletes did not maintain the elite level in adulthood. Except for athletes in the last year of the junior category (18 years for males and 17 years for females), junior performances were poorly correlated with senior performances.

The influence of anthropometric variables, body composition, propulsive force and maturation on 50m freestyle swimming performance in junior swimmers: An allometric approach

ABSTRACT The purpose of the current article was to use allometric models to identify the best body size descriptors and other anthropometric variables, body composition, and offset maturity that might be associated with the youngsters’ 50m personal-best (PB) swim speeds (m·s-1). Eighty-five competitive swimmers (male, n=50; 13.5±1.8 y; female, n=35; 12.6±1.8 y) participated in this study. Height, body mass, sitting height, arm span, skinfolds, arm muscle area (AMA), and maturity offset were assessed. Swimming performance was taken as the PB time recorded in competition, and the propulsive force of their arm (PFA) was assessed by the tied swimming test. The multiplicative allometric model relating 50m PB swim speeds (m·s-1) to all the predictor variables found percentage body fat as a negative [(BF%) β= -.121±.036; P=0.001], and PFA (PFA β=.108±.033; P=0.001) and the girl's arm span (β=.850±.301; P=0.006), all log-transformed, as positive significant predictors of log-transformed swim speed. The adjusted coefficient of determination, Radj 2 was 54.8% with the log-transformed error ratio being 0.094 or 9.8%, having taken antilogs. The study revealed, using an allometric approach, that body fatness and PFA were significant contributors to 50m freestyle swim performance in young swimmers.

Selecting Promising Junior Swimmers in Egypt Using Automated Biometric Algorithms of Image Processing and Fuzzy Concepts

Modern sports need a great physical and psychological effort from young athletes to reach high performance levels. Stature length, leg length, foot length, arm length, hand length, shoulder width, hip width, chest width and weight are the anthropometric characteristics that affect swimmers' performances. This paper introduces new techniques to select promising junior swimmers in Egypt. It develops two automated algorithms to select junior swimmer depending on their anthropometric measurement. The first technique uses Canny filter to develop the first algorithm, while the second one uses the Fuzzy concepts. The proposed algorithms make use of the image processing technique to handle the anthropometric measurements, by detecting the human body feature points automatically from the front and side images. The 101 feature points extract automatically from 36 human body measurements, while swimming games needs only 8 body dimensions from these 36 human body measurements. Therefore, the proposed system is not limited to swimming sports but can also be applied to other sports. Moreover, the experimental results and the corresponding statistical analysis show the high accuracy and advantages of the proposed algorithms. The first algorithm improved the results that could have obtained using the well-known fully vision-based automatic human body method by 22.23%, 15.9%,29.41%, and 27.5%, for stature length, arm length, leg length, and shoulder width, respectively. Also, it gave the best results for Leg Length, and Shoulder width, while the second one yielded the best result for Stature Length.

Effects Of Proposed Swimming Training Program For Enhancing Some Anaerobic Capacities Among 100 M. Freestyle 9-12 Year Old Junior Swimmers

Effects Of Proposed Swimming Training Program For Enhancing Some Anaerobic Capacities Among 100 M. Freestyle 9-12 Year Old Junior Swimmers

The Effectiveness of Core Stability Exercises on Increasing Core Muscle Strength for Junior Swimming Athletes

Swimming is a way to maintain a streamlined body position, which requires core muscle strength; the core muscles must be strong to carry out their function in maintaining body position during swimming. Core muscle strength correlates with swimmers' buoyancy and performance. Thus, training such as core stability exercises is needed to increase the strength of the core muscles. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effectiveness of core stability exercises using a Swiss ball to increase core muscle strength in junior swimmers. An experimental method was employed with one group only pretest and posttest design. The research instrument utilized to measure the core muscle strength of junior swimmers was the sit-up test. 50 members of the Taksaka Swimming Club were determined as the population of the study while only 30 of them were involved as the sample of this study. Out of the 30 people, 15 of them were given treatment and the rest 15 people were grouped in the control group. They were divided using a purposive sampling technique. The results showed that core stability exercise using a Swiss ball was effective in increasing core muscle strength in junior swimmers as indicated by a t-score of 7.5 at the significance level of α = 0.05. Therefore, it can be concluded that core stability exercises using a Swiss ball can be used to increase the strength of the core muscles to enable the stability around the lumbar spine and abdominal muscles might bring about biomechanical changes that allow swimmers to swim faster in a more efficient way.

In-Season Strength Training in Elite Junior Swimmers: The Role of the Low-Volume, High-Velocity Training on Swimming Performance.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of long-term combined strength training (ST) and plyometrics on strength, power and swimming performances in elite junior swimmers during a competitive season. Ten elite junior swimmers (5 women and 5 men) completed the study (age: 16.6 ± 0.7 years; mass: 62.2 ± 5.4 kg; stature: 1.70 ± 0.07 m). The participants trained twice a week during 20 weeks. The ST program consisted of upper- and lower limbs exercises with low loads and low volume, lifting the load at maximal intended velocity. The effect of the training protocol was assessed using the 1RM in the full squat (SQ) and bench press (BP), jump height (CMJ), the maximal number of repetitions completed in the pull-up (PU) exercise and time during 50-m freestyle. Training program resulted in significant improvements in CMJ (12.1%, ES: 0.57), maximal dynamic strength in the SQ (16.4%, ES: 0.46) and BP (12.1%, ES: 0.34) exercises, the maximum number of repetitions completed during the PU test (90.7%, ES: 0.57) and swimming performance (-3.9%, ES: 0.45). There were no significant differences between both genders. The relative changes in swimming performance showed significant relationship with the relative changes in 1RM of SQ for pooled data (r=-0.66, p<0.05) and the relative changes in the PU exercise in female swimmers (r=-0.99, p<0.05). Therefore, coaches and strength and conditioning professionals should consider including in-season dry-land ST programs within the training routine in order to obtain further improvements in swimming performance.

Study of the occurrence and multi-pathway health risk assessment of regulated and unregulated disinfection by-products in drinking and swimming pool waters of Mediterranean cities

The occurrence of a wide variety of regulated (four trihalomethanes (THM(4)), five haloacetic acids (HAA(5))) and unregulated (haloacetonitriles (HANs), halogenated ketones, chloropicrin, carbon tetrachloride, and other haloacetic acids) disinfection by-products (DBPs) was studied, in two hundred twenty-six finished drinking water samples collected in Barcelona (Spain, between 2008 and 2009), Athens (Greece, 2009–2010), Heraklion (Greece, 2009–2010), Nicosia (Cyprus, 2012–2013), and Limassol (Cyprus, 2011). The samples were analyzed by using liquid-liquid extraction, gas chromatography coupled with an electron capture detector or negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry. In addition, fourteen swimming pool water samples (from Heraklion and Athens) were also investigated regarding their DBPs content. The studied DBPs were determined concurrently with pH, total organic carbon (TOC), and bromide. Spearman's statistical analysis has shown statistically significant (p < 0.001) weak correlations between TOC, THM(4), HANs and HAA(5) but a strong correlation between THM(4) and HANs. Principal component analysis (PCA) on THM(4), HANs and HAA(5) provided a clear differentiation between the examined drinking waters, on the basis of their DBPs content. In the drinking water of coastal cities, the brominated DBPs dominated over the chlorinated ones, due to the higher bromide concentrations occurring in the corresponding raw waters. Lifetime cancer risk and hazard quotient by exposure to four THMs, dichlorocetic acid and trichloroacetic acid in drinking water and indoor swimming pools through multiple pathways were estimated. Total cancer unit risks in drinking water for Nicosia, Barcelona, Limassol and Athens exceeded in most cases the US EPA's regulatory threshold (1.0E-06). The total lifetime cancer risk evaluated for the studied indoor swimming pools was above the US EPA's negligible level for male, female, and junior swimmers.