Abstract
This study aimed to examine the effect of 9 weeks of concurrent resistance training (CRT) between resistance on dry land (bench press (BP) and medicine ball throw) and resistance in water (water parachute and hand paddles) on muscle strength, sprint swimming performance and kinematic variables compared by the usual training (standard in-water training). Twenty-two male competitive swimmers participated in this study and were randomly allocated to two groups. The CRT group (CRTG, age = 16.5 ± 0.30 years) performed a CRT program, and the control group (CG, age = 16.1 ± 0.32 years) completed their usual training. The independent variables were measured pre- and post-intervention. The findings showed that the one-repetition maximum bench press (1RM BP) was improved only after a CRT program (d = 2.18; +12.11 ± 1.79%). Moreover, all sprint swimming performances were optimized in the CRT group (d = 1.3 to 2.61; −4.22 ± 0.18% to −7.13 ± 0.23%). In addition, the findings revealed an increase in velocity and stroke rate (d = 1.67, d = 2.24; 9.36 ± 2.55%, 13.51 ± 4.22%, respectively) after the CRT program. The CRT program improved the muscle strength, which, in turn, improved the stroke rate, with no change in the stroke length. Then, the improved stroke rate increased the swimming velocity. Ultimately, a faster velocity leads to better swim performances.
Highlights
Plenty of Olympic time-based athletes engage in strength and conditioning programs.A meta-analysis reported that strength training had a moderate positive effect on Olympic time-based sports performances (d = 0.59) [1].In addition, several scientific reviews and position articles [2,3] revealed that resistance training represents a safe and feasible means in healthy adolescents to enhance their muscular strength and motor skills and to prevent sport injuries
This study examined the effect of a 9-week training program consisting of dry land training out of water with bench press (BP) and medicine ball throwing (MBT) exercises and concurrent in-water training including resistance sets with aquatic equipment (HP and water parachute (WP)) on the maximum upper body strength, kinematic variables and sprint swimming performances during the front crawl
This concurrent resistance training program was compared to the usual training, which was performed by the control group
Summary
Plenty of Olympic time-based athletes engage in strength and conditioning programs. A meta-analysis reported that strength training had a moderate positive effect on Olympic time-based sports performances (d = 0.59) [1]. Several scientific reviews and position articles [2,3] revealed that resistance training represents a safe and feasible means in healthy adolescents to enhance their muscular strength and motor skills and to prevent sport injuries. It has been reported that well-developed levels of muscle strength and power play an important role in achieving a high sprint swimming performance in adolescent and youth swimmers [2,3]. Several training methods have been developed to improve muscle strength in swimmers [2,6,7].
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