What Is the Optimal Strength Training Load to Improve Swimming Performance? A Randomized Trial of Male Competitive Swimmers.

Sofiene Amara,Yassine Negra,Riadh Khalifa,Oussema Gaied Chortane,Senda Sammoud,Emmet Crowley,Sabri Gaied Chortane,Roland Van Den Tillaar,Raouf Hammami

doi:10.3390/ijerph182211770

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of high, moderate, and low resistance training volume-load of maximum strength training on muscle strength and swimming performance in competitive swimmers. Thirty-three male swimmers were randomly allocated to high (age = 16.5 ± 0.30 years), moderate (age = 16.1 ± 0.32 years) and a low resistance training volume-load group (age = 15.9 ± 0.31). This study was carried out in mid-season (January to March). Pre and post strength (e.g., repetition maximum [1RM] leg extension and bench press tests), swimming (25, 50 m front-crawl), start (speed, time, distance) and turn (time of turn) performance tests were conducted. Our findings revealed a large main effect of time for 1RM bench press: d = 1.38; 1RM leg extension: d = 1.55, and for 25 (d = 1.12), and 50 m (d = 1.97) front-crawl, similarly for start and turn performance (d = 1.28–1.46). However, no significant Group × Time interactions were shown in all strength swimming performances, start and turn tests (p > 0.05). In conclusion, low training loads have been shown to elicit the same results as moderate, and high training loads protocol. Therefore, this study shows evidence that the addition of low training volume-loads as a regular part of a maximal strength training regime will elicit improvements in strength and swimming performance.

Highlights

The Optimizing swimming performance involves improving the physical, physiological, and biomechanical parameters of swimming [1–4]
The findings of this study showed that the different training loads of maxima strength training protocols were effective in improving swimming performance in male swimmers
Our findings found that all experimental groups demonstrated significant improvements in maximum muscle strength and swimming performance tests after lower, moderate, and higher doses of maximal strength training

Summary

Introduction

The Optimizing swimming performance involves improving the physical, physiological, and biomechanical parameters of swimming [1–4]. Several conditioning training methods and swimming training protocols have been shown to improve swimmers’ physical capacities (i.e., strength, power). Several studies argue that the effectiveness of the training protocols and methods depend on the event [5,6] and the intensity of the training sessions [7,8]. It has been well established that swimming performance can be improved by in-water sport-specific training and by means of dry land-training. It has been reported that well developed levels of muscle strength and power play an important role in elite swimming performances [4,9–11]. Strength training is an important component incorporated by coaches and swimmers into the swim training protocol for regional, national, and competitive levels [9,10,12]. Various investigations [13,14] showed that, multiple objectives of the application of

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Discussion

Conclusion