The aim of this study was to investigate test-retest reliability, diurnal variations and effects of performance level and familiarization of a tethered maximal swimming force (Fmax) test. Test and retests were conducted on separate days, either at the same time of day, or as a morning and afternoon pair, and repeated on two more occasions. 22 competitive swimmers and 10 university sport students performed 3 tethered trials where Fmax was registered by a load cell connected to the subject by a rubber tube. The reliabilities were found to be high, both from day to day, from morning to afternoon and within the test protocol (Cronbach's a = 0.99). Mean coefficient of Variation for the familiarised swimmers was as low as 1.6 (±1.4)%. Effects of familiarization were significant for swimmers but not for students, and the test-retest Variation was lower for the swimmers. Diurnal variations were not higher than for test-retest on the same time of day.
© Copyright 2006 Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming X. Published by Faculdade de Desporto da Universidade do Porto. All rights reserved.