Abstract
The main movements of artistic swimming demand various physical capacities such as flexibility, strength, power, and muscular endurance. The use of ergogenic resources to potentialize performance in this sport, however, is underexplored and deserves investigation. In the present study, we tested whether caffeine ingestion would improve the execution of movements that are essential in a typical figure competition or routines in artistic swimming (i.e., amplitude in the Ariana, height in the Boost and Barracuda, and time maintained in the Stationary Scull techniques). Sixteen experienced female athlete artistic swimmers (17.4±3.2 years of age, 5.6±2.8 years of artistic swimming practice) performed several movements of artistic swimming after having ingested a capsule containing caffeine (5 mg/kg body mass) or cellulose (placebo). Compared to the placebo, caffeine improved latero-lateral amplitude during the Ariana (P=0.035), the height of the Boost and Barracuda (P=0.028 and 0.009), and maintained duration in Stationary Sculling (P=0.012). Bayes factor analysis, however, indicated substantial evidence of a positive effect of caffeine only on the Barracuda and Stationary Scull techniques. These findings indicated that caffeine improved performance during specific artistic swimming movements. Coaches and athletes should consider caffeine ingestion in their supplementation plans.
Highlights
Synchronized swimming is an Olympic sport that combines swimming, dancing, and gymnastics [1]
Because we were unaware of any previous study that investigated the effects of caffeine on the main movements involved in artistic swimming, the required sample size was calculated using an expected moderate effect size (ES=0.8) of caffeine on strength, power, and muscular endurance [20,21,22,23]
The height of the Boost was increased with caffeine (41.3±19.5 cm) compared to the placebo (39.7±19.2 cm, t(15)=–2.43, P=0.028, ES=0.08 [95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.01, 0.15], trivial)
Summary
Synchronized swimming (referred to as artistic swimming since 2017 by the International Swimming Federation) is an Olympic sport that combines swimming, dancing, and gymnastics [1]. The Ariana, a compulsory figure for athletes who are between 13 and 15 years old, requires high levels of flexibility of the lower limbs [2]. Called body-jumps, are among the most recognized compulsory figures of artistic swimming demanding strength and power [2]. In the Barracuda, athletes must reach the highest upside-down vertical position in which the legs emerge first from the Caffeine and artistic swimming performance water [6]. Artistic swimming demands hand movements used to propel the body, the so-called ‘‘Sculls’’ [2]. The forearms are moved back and forth while maintaining right angles to the body, with the resulting pressure against the hands allowing the swimmers to hold their legs above water. The athletes need to maintain Stationary Scull for long periods, demanding high muscular endurance
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
