(1) Institute of General Practice and for Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
(2) Gesundheitszentrum St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
(3) INSERM U1093, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
*Corresponding author Email: beat.knechtle@hispeed.ch
Introduction
Previous studies suggested that the age of peak performance in freestyle swimming was ~17 years for women and ~19 years for men. Data on the age of peak swimming performance in other swim strokes such as backstroke are lacking. The present study investigated the changes in swimming speed and age of peak swimming speed across years for elite female and male backstroke swimmers competing at both national and international levels.
Materials and methods
The changes in age and swimming speed in 50 m, 100 m and 200 m were analysed for elite backstroke and freestyle swimmers at national level (i.e. Switzerland) and international level (i.e. finalists of World Championships) on the 50-m long course from 1994 to 2011.
Results
For all distances and disciplines, women reached the age of peak swimming speed at a younger age (~18–23 years) than men (~21–26 years). The age of peak swimming speed in backstroke and freestyle swimmers at national level was ~1–2 years younger than in swimmers at international level. The age of peak swimming speed increased significantly (
Conclusion
Women reached in all disciplines the age of peak swimming speed at a younger age than men. Swimmers at national level were younger than swimmers at international level. Swimming speed increased in all distances and disciplines across years in swimmers competing at both national and international levels.
