Costa, Mário J.Bragada, José A.Mejias, Jean E.Louro, HugoMarinho, Daniel A.Silva, António J.Barbosa, Tiago M.2021-08-082021-08-082012Costa, M.J., Bragada, J.A., Mejias, J.E. , Louro,H., Marinho,D.A.,Silva,A.J. & Barbosa,T.M. (2012). Tracking the performance, energetics and biomechanics of international versus national level swimmers during a competitive season. Eur J Appl Physiol 112, 811–820. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-2037-6http://hdl.handle.net/10400.15/3563The purpose of this study was to track and compare the changes of performance, energetic and biomechanical profiles of international (Int) and national (Nat) level swimmers during a season. Ten Portuguese male swimmers (four Int and six Nat level subjects) were evaluated on three different time periods (TP(1), TP(2), TP(3)) of the 2009-2010 season. Swimming performance was assessed based on official time's lists of the 200-m freestyle event. An incremental set of 7 × 200 m swims was applied to assess the energetic and biomechanical data. Measurements were made of: (1) velocity at the 4 mmol of lactate levels (V4), stroke index at V4 (SI@V4) and propelling efficiency at V4 (η (p)@V4), as energetic estimators; (2) stroke length at V4 (SL@V4) and stroke frequency at V4 (SF@V4), as biomechanical variables. The results demonstrated no significant variations in all variables throughout the season. The inter-group comparison pointed out higher values for Int swimmers, with statistical differences for the 200 m performance in all time periods. Near values of the statistical significance were demonstrated for the SI@V4 in TP(1) and TP(3). The tracking based on K values was high only for the SI@V4. It is concluded that a high stability can be observed for elite swimmers performance, energetic and biomechanical profiles throughout a single season. Int swimmers are able to maintain a higher energetic and biomechanical capacity than Nat ones at all times. The SI@V4 may be used as an indicator of performance variation.engadolescentadultathletesathletic performancebiomechanical phenomenacompetitive behaviorenergy metabolismhumansinternationalitymalePortugalseasonsswimmingyoung adultmonitoringphysiologicjournal article10.1007/s00421-011-2037-6