A recent study examined 72 competitive swimmers aged 11 to 12 and analysed technical and biomechanical variables a few weeks before an under-13 competition.
The aim was to determine which easily measurable characteristics were most strongly associated with competition performance.
Diagnostics must be closely aligned with day-to-day training
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Field tests that can be carried out directly in the pool are particularly suitable for young athletes.
They should not be used for early selection, but rather to help coaches identify technical development priorities.
Youth diagnostics needs different rules
In children and young adolescents, diagnostics has to be used differently from adult elite sport. Physical development progresses rapidly and at different rates, which means reference values can lose their meaning quickly.
The primary goal should therefore not be to label talent early. It is much more valuable to make technical strengths and areas for development visible.
If body position, turns or stroke coordination are conspicuous, for example, the coach can derive concrete learning objectives from them.
Field tests have a major advantage
Tests carried out directly in the pool are particularly interesting for day-to-day club coaching because they can be repeated without elaborate laboratory infrastructure. Coaches can therefore record the same metrics several times per season.
Standardised execution is important, however. The same distance, similar load, identical measurement points and conditions that are as comparable as possible increase the value of the results.
For young swimmers, test results should also always be considered together with biological development and training age. A snapshot must not decide who is considered “talented” in the long term. Diagnostics should support development—not limit it.
SCIENTIFIC SOURCE
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42496417/