Longitudinal studies in swimming are characterized by continuous or repeated data (quantitative, qualitative or both) collected over a period of at least two or more logically spaced time points, involving a combination of exposures and outcomes. Typically, longitudinal studies are stronger for examining cause-and-effect relationships than simple cross-sectional studies. However, they are logistically difficult, time-consuming to conduct and prone to swimmer drop-outs. Here we quantified the frequency of longitudinal studies, particularly in the biophysical domain, published in the proceedings books of the International Symposium in Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming (BMS) over a 45-year period. A computer database search was conducted on all full articles published in the BMS conference proceedings (1970 - 2014) using a combination of relevant search terms. Longitudinal studies still are a small proportion of the total articles published in the BMS. Although interdisciplinary studies are more difficult to perform, they provide valuable information for the progress of knowledge in aquatic sports.
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