Abstract
Swimming training programs may help to limit declines in cardiovascular conditioning, muscle strength, mobility and social functioning in individuals with Down’s Syndrome (DS): (1) Background: This study aims to analyze the effects of a periodized swimming training program on swimming speed, lower body force and power and body composition in a group of swimmers with DS; (2) Methods: Nine swimmers with DS (2 men and 7 women; aged 21–30 years-old) completed an 18-week periodized swimming program. The swimmers were assessed, pre and post-training, for 25 m, 50 m and 100 m freestyle swim performance, countermovement jump performance and body composition; (3) Results: Significant and large improvements in 25 m (mean −6.39%, p < 0.05, d = 1.51), 50 m (mean −4.95%, p < 0.01, d = 2.08) and 100 m (mean −3.08%, p < 0.05, d = 1.44) freestyle performance were observed following training, with no significant changes in body composition or consistent changes in jump performance (although a large mean 14.6% decrease in relative peak force, p < 0.05, d = 1.23) (4) Conclusions: A periodized 18-week training intervention may improve swimming performance in a small group of trained swimmers with DS, with less clear changes in jump performance or body composition. This program provides a training profile for coaches working with swimmers with DS and a platform for further research into the benefits of swimming training with this under-represented population.
Highlights
Down’s Syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21, the most common chromosomal abnormality occurring in humans
To improve the physical fitness of people with DS, numerous studies have focused on physiological adaptations such as increased cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and positive changes in body composition often seen after a training program [5,6,7]
There were statistically significant improvements from baseline to post-training in swimming performance times for 25 m (6.39% mean improvement, p = 0.019, d = 1.51), 50 m (4.95% mean improvement, p = 0.004, d = 2.08) and 100 m (3.08% mean improvement. p = 0.024, d = 1.44) freestyle with large effect sizes (Table 3 and Figure 1)
Summary
Down’s Syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21, the most common chromosomal abnormality occurring in humans. The swimmers were assessed, pre and post-training, for 25 m, 50 m and 100 m freestyle swim performance, countermovement jump performance and body composition; (3) Results: Significant and large improvements in 25 m (mean −6.39%, p < 0.05, d = 1.51), 50 m (mean −4.95%, p < 0.01, d = 2.08) and 100 m (mean −3.08%, p < 0.05, d = 1.44) freestyle performance were observed following training, with no significant changes in body composition or consistent changes in jump performance ( a large mean 14.6% decrease in relative peak force, p < 0.05, d = 1.23) (4) Conclusions: A periodized 18-week training intervention may improve swimming performance in a small group of trained swimmers with DS, with less clear changes in jump performance or body composition This program provides a training profile for coaches working with swimmers with DS and a platform for further research into the benefits of swimming training with this under-represented population
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