Variability and progression in competitive performance of Paralympic swimmers

Sacha K Fulton; D Pyne; W Hopkins; Brendan J Burkett

doi:10.1080/02640410802641418

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Variability and progression in competitive performance of Paralympic swimmers

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Variability and progression in competitive performance of Paralympic swimmers

Sacha K Fulton, D Pyne, W Hopkins and Brendan J Burkett

Journal of Sports Sciences, Vol.27(5), pp.535-539

2009

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410802641418

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Abstract

athletes with disabilities

reliability

reproducibility

swimming

Analysis of variability and progression in performance of top athletes between competitions provides information about performance targets that is useful for athletes, practitioners, and researchers. In this study, 724 official finals times were analysed for 120 male and 122 female Paralympic swimmers in the 100-m freestyle event at 15 national and international competitions between 2004 and 2006. Separate analyses were performed for males and females in each of four Paralympic subgroups: S2-S4, S5-S7, S8-S10 (most through least physically impaired), and S11-S13 (most through least visually impaired). Mixed modelling of log-transformed times, with adjustment for mean competition times, was used to estimate variability and progression. Within-swimmer race-to-race variability, expressed as a coefficient of variation, ranged from 1.2% (male S5-S7) to 3.7% (male S2-S4). Swimming performance progressed by approximately 0.5% per year for males and females. Typical variation in mean performance time between competitions was ∼1% after adjustment for the ability of the athletes in each competition, and the Paralympic Games was the fastest competition. Thus, taking into account variability, progression, and level of competition, Paralympic swimmers who want to increase substantially their medal prospects should aim for an annual improvement of at least 1-2%.

Details

Title: Variability and progression in competitive performance of Paralympic swimmers
Authors: Sacha K Fulton (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
D Pyne (Author) - Australian Institute of Sport
W Hopkins (Author) - Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Brendan J Burkett (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
Publication details: Journal of Sports Sciences, Vol.27(5), pp.535-539
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
Date published: 2009
DOI: 10.1080/02640410802641418
ISSN: 0264-0414
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Sports & Exercise Science
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449760302621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Sport Sciences