Influence of maturational status on sport performance and physiological responses in young swimmers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v79.118626Keywords:
aerobic capacity, biological maturation, youth swimming, peak height velocity, speedAbstract
Introduction: Biological maturation is a non-linear process that influences the development of physiological capacities and sport performance during adolescence, generating relevant differences among athletes of the same chronological age.
Objective: This study analyzed the influence of maturational status on different physiological and performance indicators in young swimmers, assessed through aerobic and anaerobic tests conducted in the aquatic environment.
Methodology: Participants were swimmers from the talent development program of the Cantabrian Swimming Federation, aged between 12 and 18 years, classified into pre-PHV, circa-PHV, and post-PHV stages based on anthropometric measurements. Aerobic capacity was assessed using a 400 m freestyle time trial, with maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) estimated indirectly, while anaerobic capacity was evaluated through maximal sprints over 25, 50, and 100 m. In addition, physiological and perceptual variables such as blood lactate concentration, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion were recorded.
Results: The results showed significant differences between maturational stages in sprint swimming times and absolute VO₂max, with superior performance observed in post-PHV swimmers. However, no consistent differences were found in heart rate or perceived exertion.
Discussion: These findings are consistent with previous research indicating an advantage of more mature athletes in performance-related variables, particularly in high-intensity tasks. Conclusions: These findings indicate that biological maturation mainly influences mechanical and structural components of performance, reinforcing the need to consider maturational status, beyond chronological age, when evaluating and planning training in youth swimming.
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