Šiljeg, K. et al.: Situational success in 100-m backstroke event at the 2004 and 2008... Sport Science 4 (2011) 2: 28-31 28 SITUATIONAL SUCCESS IN 100-M BACKSTROKE EVENT AT THE 2004 AND 2008 EUROPEAN SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS Klara Šiljeg, Goran Leko and Pavle Mikulić Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Croatia Original scientific paper Abstract Research involved 9 female swimmers who competed at the 2004 and 2008 European Swimming Championships in the 100m backstroke event. Situational success of female swimmers was measured through overall swim-time, start time (15 m), lap times per 25 meter sections, swimming speed, turn times (7.5 m), stroke frequency, stroke length and finish phase (5 m) were also calculated. The results show statistically significant progress in overall time which was mostly accomplished based on shorter start and turn times. Also, progress in the anaerobic capabilities of four years older female swimmers is notable, indicated by smaller variations in swimming speed in the second half of the section, whereas said differences are not statistically significant for the given model. It is to be assumed that an important role in such start and turn results were played by the new swimsuits that have proven to be most efficient while sliding through water. Key words: swimming, situational success, backstroke, European Championship Introduction The goal of top swimmers at European Championships (EC), World Championships (WC), and the Olympic Games (OG) is to attain the highest possible placement or result The time required to swim an individual section consists of many segments that add up to a result itself. By analyzing the race through spatial and temporal parameters, one is able to obtain a complete insight into the swimmer’s tactics, swimming technique and certain physiological parameters of the swimmer. Based on relevant data, the coach obtains an analysis of the race itself, whereby in the next race or during the following period he strives to bring the swimmer closer to the operational technique model as much as possible (Volčanšek, 2002). The dynamics of these characteristics during competitive swimming was the subject of numerous investigations (Haljand, 2004; Lipsky & Abramov, 1988; Wakayoshi, Nomura, takahashi, Mutoh, & Miyashito, 1992; Wirtz, Wilkie, & Zimmermann, 1992; Arellano, Brown, Cappaert, & Nelson, 1994; Pyne & Trewin, 2001). At all swimming contests organized by FINA (International Swimming Federation) and LEN (European Swimming League), swimming races are being recorded by cameras since 1991, with individual parameters being analyzed. Said program was implemented by Rein Haljand, Ph.D., professor of Kinesiology and a member of LEN, all with a view of discovering when, why and how some swimmers are faster than others. Naturally, when comparing all the parameters, swimmer’s anthropometric characteristics, race tactics and a certain period during multiannual preparations of a swimmer play a significant role. The official results were provided by Omega measurement equipment. Problem and aim In order to determine differences of situational success in an individual swimming race, it is necessary to analyze the same swimmers on the same section during approximately the same period of annual preparations. It would be desirable for those swimmers to have almost the same level of quality and be of age at which the intense growth and development has finished. Furthermore, it would be recommendable for the time period between the monitored contests to be long enough for differences to be determinable. In such a situation potential changes in racing results will be recorded, as well as differences of individual race parameters. This paper will analyze race results of women’s 100 meters backstroke at the 2004 EC in Madrid and the 2008 EC in Eindhoven. Those contests hosted 9 same swimmers in semifinal and final races. The EC’s were held during Olympic years which guaranteed a maximum level of preparedness in swimmers. The goal of this paper is to determine the difference in situational success indicators influencing the final race result in 100m backstroke, between the European Championship held in 2004 and the one held in 2008. Materials and Methods The subject sample consisted of nine equivalent top swimmers who appeared in the semifinals and finals of the European Championships in a 50 meter pool, i.e. in 2004 in Madrid and in 2008 in Eindhoven, in 100 m backstroke. At those two temporal milestones (EC 2004 and 2008), 17 variables were measured in 100 m backstroke for women in a 50 meter pool. Result in 100 m backstroke: the time, in seconds, that the swimmers required to swim 100 m from the sound starting signal until touching the touch pad electronically recording the result; Start time 15 m: