Michael Czerninski1, Laura M. Carabali1, Manuel Bolaños1, Javier Gaviria2, Viviana A. Lopez1, Isabel C. Rojas-Padilla3,4
1National School of Sports, Faculty of Education and Sports Sciences, Cali, Colombia
2Santiago of Cali University, Basic Sciences Faculty, Cali, Colombia
3Istanbul Medipol University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Istanbul, Türkiye
4National School of Sports, Basic Sciences Center, Cali, Colombia
Neuromuscular Predictors of 100m Freestyle Performance in Adolescent Swimmers
Sport Mont 2026, 24(3), Ahead of Print | DOI: 10.26773/smj.261014
Abstract
Neuromuscular abilities are relevant determinants of performance in swimming speed tests. This study aimed to ana- lyze the relationship between neuromuscular variables and chronometric performance in the 100-meter freestyle test among adolescent swimmers and to identify the main predictors of competitive performance. A quantitative, cross-sec- tional, correlational study was conducted with 22 adolescent swimmers (aged 14–16 years; 12 females and 10 males). Squat jumps (SJ), countermovement jumps (CMJ), reactivity index (RSI), push-ups, sit-ups, and jump squats were eval- uated. Performance was determined by the total time achieved in the 100-meter freestyle test in a semi-Olympic pool. Spearman correlation analysis and multiple linear regression with backward elimination were performed. The final mod- el was statistically significant (F=8.45; p=0.001), explaining 58.5% of the variance in performance (adjusted R²=51.5%). The countermovement jump reactive strength index contributed most to performance (B=-62.97; β=-0.680; p<0.001), followed by abdominal strength-endurance (B=-0.296; β=-0.512; p=0.006) and squat jump contact time (B=-0.006; β=-0.399; p=0.038). In conclusion, reactive strength and core-related neuromuscular characteristics were significant predictors of 100-meter freestyle performance in adolescent swimmers. These findings suggest that neuromuscular monitoring may help characterize performance-related capacities; however, longitudinal studies with larger samples are required to confirm causal relationships.
Keywords
athletic performance, neuromuscular factors, speed, swimming, teenage
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