Speed dynamics for swimming 200 m using different techniques by the world's strongest swimmers in a 25metre pool

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Dr. Hab., Professor O.I. Popov1
A.S. Zhilkin1
1The Russian University of Sport «GTSOLIFK», Moscow

Objective of the study is to identify the quantitative characteristics of different types of speed dynamics and their dependence on swimming style, gender and athlete skill level.
Methods and structure of the study. We analysed 630 individual ‘layouts’ of the finalists of the 2024 World Championships, Russian Championships, and World Cups. We used an iterative algorithm to determine the types of dynamics based on the sum of the squares of the differences between the actual and reference speeds.
Results and conclusions. Three main types of dynamics were identified: A – positive (a pronounced constant decrease in speed over the distance), B – moderate decrease with a final acceleration, C – uniform with a final acceleration. No gender differences or influence of qualification on the choice of dynamics type were identified. Swimming style significantly affects the type of dynamics: the speed decreases most strongly in butterfly and breaststroke swimmers, while in freestyle and, in particular, in backstroke, the distribution is more uniform, with finishing acceleration in some cases. Although the type of tactical approach depends mainly on the swimming style, the individual characteristics of the swimmer play an important role.

Keywords: tactics, strongest swimmers, types of speed dynamics, freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly.

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