Can a Simple Trapezoidal Integration Approach Accurately Estimate the Supra-Critical Speed Distance Capacity of a Swimmer?

The 12 × 25-m swim test has become a key physiological monitoring and profiling tool within swimming networks to capture various performance insights (peak velocity, critical speed [CS], supra-CS distance capacity [ D ′], and anaerobic speed reserve) within one testing occasion. The D ′ output follo...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:International Journal of Sports Physiology & Performance Vol. 21; no. 7; pp. 1 - 7
Autores principales: Bulte, Karla R., Mitchell, Lachlan L. G., Siegel, Rodney, Hunter, Adam, Brooks, Edward R., Saunders, Philo U., Hoffmann, Samantha M.
Formato: equations & formulas research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc. Jul2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:The 12 × 25-m swim test has become a key physiological monitoring and profiling tool within swimming networks to capture various performance insights (peak velocity, critical speed [CS], supra-CS distance capacity [ D ′], and anaerobic speed reserve) within one testing occasion. The D ′ output following the 12 × 25-m swim test is currently derived using software that requires specialised expertise, therefore inhibiting the accessibility of the test to pathways' level coaches and athletes. Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine if trapezoidal integration (TI) could simply and accurately replace the model fit method to estimate D ′ following the 12 × 25-m swim test and improve the accessibility of the test for a wider cohort of practitioners. Methods: Thirty-one national-level swimmers preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympic Trials consented for their 12 × 25-m data set to be retrieved. D ′ was calculated using both the model fit and TI approaches. Linear regression and pearson correlations examined the strength of the relationship and a paired t test and Bland–Altman plot determined the agreement between the 2 methodologies. Results: A very strong, positive relationship was found between the model fit and TI D ′ calculations (r =.999, R2 =.999, P <.001), with a very small, nonsignificant difference of 0.040 m (d = 0.124, P =.495). Conclusions: TI is a valid replacement for the original model fit approach to estimate D ′ following the 12 × 25-m swim test. The swim test will no longer require specialised software and the accessibility of the test will increase to a wider cohort of swimming practitioners.