Contribution of breaststroke start and turn parameters to competitive performance in elite male swimmers

This study examined the relationship between selected temporal parameters of the breaststroke start and turn and overall race performance in elite male swimmers. The analysis included the 50 m, 100 m, and 200 m breaststroke events at the World Aquatics Championships. Race performance was defined as final race time (FT). Start-related variables included reaction time (RT) and time at 15 m after the start (T15S). Turn-related variables included time at 5 m before the wall (T5BT), turn duration (TT), and time at 15 m after the turn (T15T). Relationships were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) with effect size interpretation. In the 50 m event, FT was significantly associated with T15S (r = .534, p < .05), whereas RT showed no significant relationship. In the 100 m event, start variables were not significantly related to FT; however, T15T demonstrated a significant correlation (r = .511, p < .05). In the 200 m event, start variables were not significant, while TT (r = .824, p < .05) and T15T (r = .667, p < .05) showed strong associations. The findings indicate distance-specific contributions of race segments, with increasing importance of turn efficiency as race distance increases.