Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the time course of changes in maximal neuromuscular power (P), torque (T), velocity (V), and swim performance (m/sec) that occurred in collegiate swimmers during a 14 to 21 day taper. METHODS Using an arm ergometer with inertial loading, measurements were made prior to the initiation of the taper (high-volume, HV), during the two to three week period of the taper (Taper), and during the week of peak competition (Peak) in 46 competitive collegiate swimmers (22 female, 24 male). Subjects were divided into groups that tapered to peak for competition at either the conference or national championship meet. Groups include; Men's Conference team (MC, n = 13), Men's National team (MN, n = 11), Women's Conference team (WC, n = 22), and Women's National team (WN, n = 15). RESULTS MC increased power 10.2 % (p <0.01) and swim performance 4.4% (p <0.001), MN increased power 11.6% (p <0.01), torque 7.4% (p <0.02) and swim performance 4.7% (p < 0.001). WC increased power 10.4% (p <0.001), velocity 4.1% (p <0.05), torque 6.5% (p <0.01) and swim performance 5.2% (p <0.001). WN increase power 13.5% (p <0.001), velocity 6.1% (p <0.04), torque 8.7% (p <0.04), swim performance 5.5% (p <0.001). Approximately one-half of the increase in maximal neuromuscular power occurred during the first 7 to 10 days of taper. Torque displayed a similar time course for improvement when compared to power, as approximately 50% of the increase occurred during the first 7 to 10 days of the taper, with the only exception being MC. Velocity was only significantly increased in the women and the time frame with which this increase occurred lacked consistency across groups. Performance was significantly correlated to both power and torque in all groups (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Maximal neuromuscular power increases during the taper of collegiate swimmers largely due to the increases in torque with one half of the increase in power occurring in the first 7 to 10 days of the 14 to 21 day taper.
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