Table 2.
The summary of the sample demographics of each study included for analysis.
| Source | Sample | Tanner stage | Years of experience | Pool length | Race/trial event | FINA points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbes et al. (2018) | n = 14 boys: 13.00 ± 2.00 years | n.a. | At least 4 years | 50 m | 50 m Freestyle | 520.00 ± 98.00 |
| Abbes et al. (2020) | n = 17 boys: 13.00 ± 2.00 years | n.a. | At least 4 years | 50 m | 50 m Freestyle | 520.00 ± 98.00 |
| Abbott et al. (2021) | n = 48 boys (between 10 and 13 years) | Maturity status (years pre/post peak height velocity): between −2.4 ± 0.29 and 0.2 ± 0.46 | n.a. | 50 m | 200 m Freestyle | |
| Alshdokhi et al. (2020) | n = 28 boys: 12.60 ± 2.60 years | n.a. | n.a. | 25 m | 50 m and 100 m Freestyle, Backstroke | n.a. |
| Amaro et al. (2017) | n = 21 boys: 12.70 ± 0.80 years | 2.10 ± 0.40 | At least 2 years | 25 m | 50 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Barbosa et al. (2010) | n = 38 boys: 12.53 ± 0.58 years | 1–2 | n.a. | 25 m | 200 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Barbosa et al. (2014) | n = 34 girls and 33 boys: 12.83 ± 1.26 years | 1–2 | At least four years | 25 m | 100 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Barbosa et al. (2015) | n = 49 boys: 12.51 ± 0.77 years; 51 girls: 12.24 ± 0.71 years | 1–2 | n.a. | 25 m | 100 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Barbosa et al. (2019) | n = 75 boys: 11–13 years | 1–2 | At least two years | n.a. | 100 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Bielec and Jurak (2019) | n = 26 boys: 12.10 ± 0.50 years; 15 girls: 12.20 ± 0.50 years | Boys: 1.80 ± 0.60 Girls: 2.10 ± 0.70 |
2.40 ± 0.50 | 25 m | 50 m Freestyle, and 200 m Individual Medley | Boys 50 m: 202.00 ± 64.40 Girls 50 m: 279.20 ± 58.30 Boys 200 m: 211.50 ± 55.90 Girls 200 m: 280.60 ± 46.40 |
| Costa et al. (2011) | n = 242 boys | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 50 m, 100 m, 200m, 400 m, 800 m, and 1500 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| de Mello Vitor and Böhme (2010) | n = 24 boys: 13.00 ± 0.70 years | 3–4 | 3 to 4 years | 50 m | 100 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Denadai et al. (2000) | Beginners: n = 4 boys and 6 girls: 11.20 ± 0.90 years Trained: n = 3 boys and 3 girls: 11.10 ± 0.90 years | n.a. | Beginners: 1–2 years; Trained: 3–5 years | 25 m | 50 m, 100 m, and 200 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Duché et al. (1993) | n = 25 boys: 11.30 ± 1.00 years | 1 | 2 years | n.a. | 50 m, 100 m, 200m, and 400 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Ferraz et al. (2020) | Under 12 level: n = 25 girls (12.48 ± 0.30 years); n = 24 boys (12.69 ± 0.26 years) Under 13 level: n = 23 girls (11.63 ± 0.28 years) | n.a. | n.a. | 25 m | 50 m, and 400 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Ferreira et al. (2019) | n = 14 boys: 11.90 ± 1.08 years; 29 girls: 10.74 ± 0.91 years | Boys: 2.93 ± 0.95 Girls: 2.71 ± 1.15 |
n.a. | 25 m | 400 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Ferreira et al. (2021) | n = 24 boys: 12.51 ± 0.99 years; 10 girls: 11.24 ± 0.88 years | Boys: 2.94 ± 1.04 Girls: 3.05 ± 1.10 |
n.a. | n.a. | 400 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Figueiredo et al. (2016) | n = 51 boys and 52 girls: 11.80 ± 0.80 years | n.a. | n.a. | 25 m | 25 m Freestyle trial | n.a. |
| Garrido et al. (2010a) | n = 16 boys and 12 girls: 12.01 ± 0.56 years | 1–2 | n.a. | 25 m | 25 m and 50 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Garrido et al. (2010b) | n = 14 boys and 11 girls: 12.08 ± 0.76 years | 1–2 | n.a. | 25 m | 25 m and 50 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Geladas et al. (2005) | n = 178 boys: 12.78 ± 0.05 years; 85 girls: 12.68 ± 0.06 years | Boys' biological age: 14.17 ± 0.13 Girls' biological age: 13.47 ± 0.13 |
n.a. | 50 m | 100 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Hue et al. (2013) | n = 61 boys and 65 girls: 12.00 ± 1.30 years | 1–2 | n.a. | 50 m | 400 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Jürimäe et al. (2007) | n = 15 boys: 11.90 ± 0.30 years | 1–2 | 3.00 ± 1.10 | 25 m | 400 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Kjendlie et al. (2004a) | n = 10 boys: 11.70 ± 0.80 years | n.a. | 4.30 ± 1.40 | 25 m | 50 m and 100 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Kjendlie and Stallman (2008) | n = 9 boys: 11.70 ± 0.80 years | n.a. | n.a. | 25 m | 25 m Freestyle trial | n.a. |
| Lätt et al. (2009a) | n = 29 boys: 13.0 ± 1.80 years | 2.30 ± 1.00 | 3.00 ± 1.10 | 25 m | 400 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Lätt et al. (2009b) | n = 26 girls: 12.70 ± 2.20 years | 2.30 ± 0.80 | 3.70 ± 1.00 | 25 m | 400 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Majid et al. (2019) | n = 4 boys: 11.15 ± 0.96 years | n.a. | n.a. | 50 m | 50 m Breaststroke | n.a. |
| Marinho et al. (2011) | n = 12 boys and 8 girls: 12.10 ± 0.72 years | n.a. | 3.70 ± 1.26 | n.a. | 50 m, 100 m, and 200 m Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly |
n.a. |
| Marinho et al. (2020) | n = 75 boys and 76 girls: 13.02 ± 1.19 years | n.a. | 3.36 ± 0.77 years | 25 m | 100 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Mezzaroba and Machado (2014) | n = 13 boys: 10.70 ± 0.90 years; n = 11 boys: 13.00 ± 0.50 years | 2.20 ± 0.80 and 3.60 ± 0.80 | 3.50 ± 1.90 and 5.70 ± 3.30 years | 50 m | 100 m, 200 m, and 400 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Morais et al. (2012) | n = 73 boys: 12.72 ± 1.03 years; 64 girls: 11.47 ± 0.66 years | 1–2 | n.a. | 25 m | 100 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Morais et al. (2013a) | n = 62 boys: 12.76 ± 0.72 years; 64 girls: 11.89 ± 0.93 years | 1–2 | n.a. | 25 m | 100 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Morais et al. (2013b) | n = 15 boys: 12.30 ± 0.63 years; 18 girls: 11.77 ± 0.92 years | 1–2 | 3.18 ± 0.52 years | 25 m | 100 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Morais et al. (2014a) | n = 14 boys: 12.33 ± 0.65 years; 16 girls: 11.15 ± 0.55 years | 1–2 | 3.40 ± 0.56 years | 25 m | 100 m Freestyle | Boys: 284.85 ± 67.48 Girls: 322.56 ± 45.18 |
| Morais et al. (2014b) | n = 14 boys, 7 high skill: 12.83 ± 0.37 years, 7 average skill: 11.83 ± 0.37 years; 16 girls, 8 high skill: 11.42 ± 0.49 years, 8 average skill: 10.83 ± 0.37 years | 1–2 | 3.40 ± 0.56 years | 25 m | 100 m Freestyle | Boys (high skill: 294.40 ± 40.00; average skill: 166.20 ± 17.50) Girls (high skill: 334.30 ± 39.50; average skill: 229.10 ± 33.90 |
| Morais et al. (2015) | n = 15 boys: 12.30 ± 0.60 years; 18 girls: 11.70 ± 0.90 years | 1–2 | 3.18 ± 0.52 years | 25 m | 100 m Freestyle | Boys: 227.90 ± 69.80 Girls: 291.10 ± 66.20 |
| Morais et al. (2016) | n = 49 boys: 12.50 ± 0.76 years; 51 girls: 12.20 ± 0.71 years | 1–2 | 3.10 ± 0.71 years | 25 m | 100 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Morais et al. (2017) | n = 47 boys: 12.04 ± 0.81 years; 47 girls: 11.22 ± 0.98 years | n.a. | 3.18 ± 0.62 years | 25 m | 100 m Freestyle | Boys: 217.70 ± 69.50 Girls: 277.70 ± 68.70 |
| Morais et al. (2020a) | n = 22 boys: 12.79 ± 0.71 years; 32 girls: 11.78 ± 0.85 years | 1–2 | n.a. | 25 m | 100 m Freestyle | Boys: 297.58 ± 87.72 Girls: 330.35 ± 79.80 |
| Morais et al. (2020b) | n = 14 boys: 12.70 ± 0.63 years; 16 girls: 11.72 ± 0.71 years | 1–2 | n.a. | 25 m | 100 m Freestyle | Boys: 234.86 ± 69.76 Girls: 288.75 ± 67.01 |
| Moreira et al. (2014) | n = 12 boys: 12.80 ± 0.90 years; 13 girls: 12.00 ± 0.90 years | 1–2 | 3.18 ± 0.52 years | n.a. | 25 m Freestyle trial | n.a. |
| Nevill et al. (2020) | n = n = 39 boys: 11.50 ± 1.30 years; n = 20 girls: 12.10 ± 1.00 years; n = 13.00 ± 1.00 years | 2.33 ± 1.10, 0.04 ± 1.00, 0.82 ± 0.96 maturity offset years | n.a. | n.a. | 100 m Breaststroke and Backstroke | n.a. |
| Ozeker et al. (2020) | n = 15 girls: 11.18 ± 0.80 years; n = 15 girls: 11.16 ± 0.83 years | n.a. | At least 3 years | 50 m | 50 m and 400 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Poujade et al. (2003) | n = 3 girls and 8 boys: 12.40 ± 0.50 years | n.a. | 4–5 years | 50 m | 400 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Poujade et al. (2002) | n = 3 girls and 8 boys: 12.40 ± 0.50 years | n.a. | 5–6 years | n.a. | 400 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Saavedra et al. (2013) | n = 67 girls: 11.51 ± 0.55 years | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | Best score according to the LEN table of competitive performance level | n.a. |
| Saavedra et al. (2010) | n = 67 girls: 11.50 ± 0.60 years | 2.99 ± 1.19 | n.a. | 25 m | Fastest of three competitive events swum in one of the four strokesat any of four different race distances (i.e., 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, and 800 m) | n.a. |
| Sammoud et al. (2018) | n = 39 boys: 11.50 ± 1.30 years; 20 girls: 12.00 ± 1.00 years | Boys: −2.30 ± 1.10; girls: 0.04 ± 1.00 maturity offset years | n.a. | 25 m | 100 m Breaststroke | n.a. |
| Sammoud et al. (2019) | (n = 26 boys) two groups: 10.30 ± 0.40 and 10.50 ± 0.40 years | −3.10 ± 0.30 and −2.80 ± 0.30 years until peak height velocity | 2.00 ± 1.60 years | 50 m | 15 m, 25 m, and 50 m Freestyle trial | n.a. |
| Sammoud et al. (2021) | (n = 22girls) two groups: 10.01 ± 0.57 and 10.50 ± 0.28 years | −1.50 ± 0.50 and −1.34 ± 0.51 maturity offset | 2.00 ± 1.40 years | 50 m | 25 m, and 50 m Freestyle trial | n.a. |
| Seffrin et al. (2021) | n = 16 boys: 11.50 ± 0.52 years; 6 girls: 11.67 ± 0.52 years | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | 100 m and 400 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Silva et al. (2012) | (n = 36 boys: 12.42 ± 0.08 years; and 24 girls: 11.08 ± 0.08 years) | Boys: 2–3 Girls: 2–3 |
3.75 ± 0.87 and 3.38 ± 0.77 years | n.a. | 25 m Backstroke trial | n.a. |
| Silva et al. (2013) | Pubertal: n = 36 boys: 12.42 ± 0.08 years; 24 girls: 11.08 ± 0.08 years Post-pubertal: n = 20 boys: 12.65 ± 0.11 years; 34 girls: 11.71 ± 0.08 years | Pubertal: 1–2 Post-pubertal: 3–5 |
Pubertal boys: 3.75 ± 0.87 years; girls: 3.38 ± 0.77 years Post-pubertal boys: 3.75 ± 1.25 years; girls: 3.35 ± 1.07 years | n.a. | 25 m Freestyle trial | n.a. |
| Staub et al. (2020b) | n = 952 boys and 936 girls: 11 years | n.a. | n.a. | 50 m, 100 m, 200 m, 400 m Freestyle; 50 m, 100 m, 200 m Breaststroke and Backstroke; 50 m and 100 m Butterfly; 200 Individual Medley | Swimmers ranked at 18 years: 321.90 ± 75.20 Swimmers not ranked at 18 years: 313.80 ± 73.70 |
|
| Staub et al. (2020a) | n = 842 boys and 863 girls: 11 years | n.a. | n.a. | 50 m, 100 m, 200 m, and 400 m Freestyle; 50 m, 100 m, and 200 m for both Breaststroke and Backstroke; 50 m, and 100 m Butterfly; 200 m Individual Medley | Relationships between success at age 18 (1–1000 FINA points), to within-sport specialization and age of entry | |
| Tijani et al. (2019) | n = 22 boys and 18 girls12.30 ± 0.56 years | n.a. | 7.10 ± 0.50 years | 25 m | 50 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Tsalis et al. (2012) | n = 8 girls: 10.40 ± 0.60 years | n.a. | n.a. | 50 m | 50 m, 100 m, 200 m, and 400 m Freestyle | n.a. |
| Zarzeczny et al. (2013) | n = 24 boys: 12.20 ± 0.10 years | n.a. | n.a. | 25 m | 50 m, and 400 m Freestyle and Breaststroke | n.a. |
n.a., not applicable (i.e., not reported).