Anthropometrical, energetical and biomechanical contribution for the elite swimming performance during the peak form period during the summer season

The aim of this study was to identify the contribution of several anthropometrical, bioenergetical and biomechanical parameters for the 200 m front crawl performance (Perf200m) during the peak form of the summer season. Eight Portuguese male swimmers from international and national level were analyzed in a period coincident with important competitions (july of the 2010-2011 season). Anthropometrical assessment included the body mass (MC), height (Est) and arm spam (Env). An incremental set of 7 200 m front crawl was applied to obtain: i) the velocity of the maximal lactate equilibrium estimated to the 4 mmol (V4), maximal blood lactate concentration (La-pico), maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), minimum velocity were the maximal oxygen consumption is reached (vVO2max) maximal metabolic power (Etot) and energy cost (C), as energetical parameters and ii) stroke distance (DC), stroke frequency (FG), stroke index (IN) and propelling efficiency ( eta p), as biomechanical indicators. The results demonstrated that the V4 (r = -.75, p = .03), vVO2max (r = -.83, p < .01) and the IN (r = -.76, p = .03) were the only variables with significant association with the Perf200m. The Env (R2 = .24, p = .22), V4 (R2 = .75, p < .01) and IN (R2 = .52, p = .04) were identified as the best predictors in each domain. Multiple linear regression models indicated that those parameters explained 90% of the Perf200m being the V4 the most determinant one (83%).