What is the purpose of youth sprint norms?

• A. They replace individual testing.
• B. They provide reference times for specific age groups to assess development.
• C. They set mandatory performance targets.
• D. They predict future salaries.

Answer: (B)

Youth sprint norms are reference times set for different ages (and often sexes) that show typical sprint performance. They give a benchmark a young athlete can be compared against to gauge development and monitor progress over time. These norms help coaches decide if training is effective or if adjustments are needed by showing where a swimmer stands relative to peers, rather than dictating mandatory targets or predicting future outcomes like salaries.