Biological Age in Relation to Somatic, Physiological, and Swimming Kinematic Indices as Predictors of 100 m Front Crawl Performance in Young Female Swimmers

Abstract

Background: Some swimmers reach high performance level at a relatively young age. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between adolescent female swimmers’ 100 m front crawl race (Vtotal100) and several anthropometry, body composition, and physiological and specific strength indices. Methods: Nineteen adolescent female swimmers were examined for biological age (BA) and body composition. Oxygen uptake was measured during water-flume stage-test front crawl swimming with ventilatory thresholds examination. Specific strength indices were assessed during 30 s of tethered swimming. Stroke rate (SR), stroke length (SL), and stroke index (SI) were also examined. Results: BA was strongly correlated with anthropometrics and tethered swimming strength indices, and showed moderate to strong correlation with ventilatory thresholds. Speed of swimming in the race was moderately to largely correlated with speed at V˙O2 max−VV˙O2max (r = 0.47–0.55; p < 0.05)—ventilatory thresholds (VAT, VRCP) (r = 0.50–0.85; p < 0.05), SL (r = 0.58–0.62; p < 0.05), and SI (r = 0.79–0.81; p < 0.01). Conclusion: Results confirmed a significant role of biological maturation mediation on body composition and body size, ventilatory indices, and specific strength indices. BA was not a significant mediation factor influencing the swimming kinematics (SL, SI) and speeds of VAT, VRCP or VV˙O2 max, which were strong predictors of the 100 m race.