The changes in age of peak swim speed for elite male and female Swiss freestyle swimmers between 1994 and 2012

This study determined the age and its changes across years of peak swimming performance from 50 to 1,500m freestyle. Data of 70,059 Swiss freestyle swimmers (33,725 women and 36,334 men) aged 10-40 years and competing from 50 to 1,500m were analysed. The association between age and swimming speed of the annual ten fastest swimmers was investigated using single and multi-level hierarchical regression analyses. For women, age of peak swimming speed increased in 50m from 18.9 (s=2.3) to 20.4 (s=4.2) years but decreased in 1,500m from 25.0 (s=13.1) (1996) to 18.1 (s=3.7) years. For 100-800m, age remained at 19.1 (s=1.1), 19.3 (s=1.1), 18.7 (s=1.5) and 18.5 (s=1.3) years, respectively. For men, age of peak swimming speed decreased in 50 m from 23.0 (s=4.0) to 23.0 (s=3.5) but remained for 100-1,500m at 22.5 (s=1.4), 21.4 (s=0.9), 20.3 (s=0.9), 20.3 (s=0.9) and 20.3 (s=1.1) years, respectively. Age was positively associated with swimming speed for 50-800m, but negatively for 1,500m. In conclusion, the age of peak swimming speed was younger in women compared to men for 50-800m freestyle. For women, age of peak swimming speed increased in 50m but decreased in 1,500m freestyle across years. For men, age of peak swimming speed decreased in 50m freestyle.