The influence of tactical positioning on performance in world-championship freestyle swimming

Datos Bibliográficos

ID5284567
AutoresCraig A Staunton (0000-0001-8023-1498, Halmstad University, autor de correspondencia), Craig Staunton, Jesús J Ruiz-Navarro (0000-0002-0010-7233, Universidad de Granada), Peter Edholm (0000-0002-5401-9255, Halmstad University), Dennis-Peter Born (0000-0002-1058-4367, Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen SFISM)
Año2025
Volumen7
Páginas1600554-1600554
Fecha de publicación2025-06-09
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaFrontiers in Sports and Active Living (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2624-9367 • E-ISSN: 2624-9367
EditorialFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fspor.2025.1600554
PMID40552353
OpenAlexW4411161491
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas33

PurposeThis study examined tactical positioning and pacing in short-distance (100 m), middle-distance (200 m, 400 m) and long-distance (800 m, 1,500 m) freestyle events, focusing on the influence of race distance, competition round (HEAT vs. FINAL), and sex.MethodsRace data from multiple World Championships (2013-2023) were analyzed. Spearman's rank correlations (ρ) were calculated to examine rank stability across race distances, competition rounds, and sex. Additionally, lane distributions of Top3 finishers were analyzed to assess the impact of lane position on race outcomes.ResultsRank correlations increased progressively from the first to the final lap across all race distances (p 0.05). Central lanes (4 and 5) were associated with the highest Top3 finish rates, while outer lanes (0, 1, 8, and 9) had the lowest, particularly in long-distance events.ConclusionFinals foster more dynamic race strategies, with increased positional changes. Rank stability was achieved at a relatively earlier proportion of the race in long-distance events compared to middle-distance events. By the final lap, rank stability converged across all distances, suggesting that race order was largely set before the last lap, emphasizing early tactical positioning over late-race surges. These findings offer insights into optimizing race tactics and pacing in elite swimming

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