Higher relevance of mechanical determinants for short-distance performance and metabolic determinants for middle-distance performance in female adolescent swimmers at national level

The study investigated associations of metabolic, anthropometric, and neuromuscular parameters with 50 to 400 m front crawl performance. Competition performances of 24 female swimmers (14.9 ± 1.3 years) were recorded and metabolic determinants (maximal oxygen uptake and lactate accumulation [ċLamax], cost of swimming [C], and lactate threshold 1 [LT1] using 200 m all-out, 20 s sprint, 500 m submaximal, and 3 min incremental test, respectively), anthropometry and dryland strength (squat and bench press 1 repetition maximum [1RMSQ/1RMBP] and mean propulsive power [MPPSQ/MPPBP]) were assessed. 1RMSQ (61.9 ± 13.3 kg) and MPPBP (207 ± 45 W) correlated significantly with 50 (1.84 ± 0.07 m∙s-1) and 100 m performance (1.68 ± 0.06 m∙s-1) (r ≥ 0.45) and ċLamax (0.35 ± 0.12 mmol·L-1·s-1) and body mass (60.1 ± 7.0 kg) with 50 and 100 m, respectively (r ≥ 0.44). Only LT1 (1.23 ± 0.04 m∙s-1) correlated significantly with 200 (1.52 ± 0.05 m∙s-1) and 400 m performance (1.43 ± 0.06 m∙s-1) (r ≥ 0.56). Multiple regression explained 33-35% and 61-86% of the variance in short- and middle-distance performance based on 1RMSQ and arm span and LT1, C, and fat percentage, respectively. Based on the analyses, mechanical determinants are more predictive of short- and metabolic determinants of middle-distance performance.