Reliability of 10- and 30-Second Tethered Swimming Tests in Highly Trained Swimmers: Influence of Swimming Specialty, Sex, Performance Level, and Evaluator.

内容摘要

The tethered swimming test is relevant for the longitudinal monitoring of swimmers. However, for accurate interpretation of observed variations over time, understanding the reliability of the test and the factors influencing it is crucial. This study aimed to assess the absolute and relative reliability of parameters derived from 10- and 30-second front-crawl-tethered swimming tests by considering swimming specialty, sex, and performance level. Output variables resulting from manual stroke cycle segmentation were examined to evaluate interevaluator reliability. Twenty-one highly trained swimmers performed the 2 specific time-based tests over 3 consecutive days. Relative and absolute reliability were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient and standard error of measurement, respectively. Mean force, peak force, and impulse demonstrated high reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient > .86 and .73 for 10- and 30-s tests, respectively). Fatigue index, performance decrement, and rate of performance decline exhibited varying reliability from poor to high. These results were unaffected by swimming specialty, sex, performance level, or evaluator. The findings indicate that 10- and 30-second front-crawl tethered swimming tests are highly reliable. Mean force, peak force, and impulse emerge as the most reliable parameters, regardless of the swimming specialty, sex, performance level, or evaluator.