Analysis of swimming performance: perceptions and practices of US-based swimming coaches

ABSTRACT

In elite swimming, a broad range of methods are used to assess performance, inform coaching practices and monitor athletic progression. The aim of this paper was to examine the performance analysis practices of swimming coaches and to explore the reasons behind the decisions that coaches take when analysing performance. Survey data were analysed from 298 Level 3 competitive swimming coaches (245 male, 53 female) based in the United States. Results were compiled to provide a generalised picture of practices and perceptions and to examine key emerging themes. It was found that a disparity exists between the importance swim coaches place on biomechanical analysis of swimming performance and the types of analyses that are actually conducted. Video-based methods are most frequently employed, with over 70% of coaches using these methods at least monthly, with analyses being mainly qualitative in nature rather than quantitative. Barriers to the more widespread use of quantitative biomechanical analysis in elite swimming environments were explored. Constraints include time, cost and availability of resources, but other factors such as sources of information on swimming performance and analysis and control over service provision are also discussed, with particular emphasis on video-based methods and emerging sensor-based technologies.

KEYWORDS:

• Swimming
• coaching
• biomechanics
• video analysis
• inertial sensor

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge to contribution of Mr John Leonard of the ASCA in assisting with the distribution of this survey within their coaching community.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research is funded by the Irish Research Council Enterprise Partnership Scheme in conjunction with Swim Ireland [grant award reference EPSPG\2012\361].