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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Published in:International Journal of Sports Physiology & Performance Vol. 21; no. 7; pp. 1 - 7
Main Authors: Bulte, Karla R., Mitchell, Lachlan L. G., Siegel, Rodney, Hunter, Adam, Brooks, Edward R., Saunders, Philo U., Hoffmann, Samantha M.
Format: equations & formulas research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc. Jul2026
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jul2026
      vid: 21
      iid: 7
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      pub: Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
      place: Champaign, Illinois
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        10.1123/ijspp.2025-0372
        194702963
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        atl: Can a Simple Trapezoidal Integration Approach Accurately Estimate the Supra-Critical Speed Distance Capacity of a Swimmer?
      aug:
        au:
          Bulte, Karla R.
          Mitchell, Lachlan L. G.
          Siegel, Rodney
          Hunter, Adam
          Brooks, Edward R.
          Saunders, Philo U.
          Hoffmann, Samantha M.
        affil: Victorian Institute of Sport, Albert Park, VIC, Australia
      sug:
        subj:
          Swimming
          Exercise Test
          Athletic Performance Evaluation
          Health Services Accessibility
          Models, Statistical
          Coaches, Athletic
          Athletes
          Human
          Adolescence
          Young Adult
          Male
          Female
          Linear Regression
          Pearson's Correlation Coefficient
          Paired T-Tests
          Descriptive Statistics
          Aerobic Capacity
          Physical Performance Evaluation
          Athletic Training Programs
          Data Analysis Software
          Parametric Statistics
          Confidence Intervals
          Adolescent: 13-18 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: 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.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        equations & formulas
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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