Female Swimmers Research Articles

The Muscle Typology of Elite and World-Class Swimmers.

To examine whether the muscle typology of elite and world-class swimmers could discriminate between their best distance event, swimming stroke style, or performance level. The muscle carnosine content of 43 male (860 [76] FINA [Fédération Internationale de Natation] points) and 30 female (881 [63] FINA points) swimmers was measured in the soleus and gastrocnemius by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and expressed as a carnosine aggregate Z score (CAZ score) to estimate muscle typology. A higher CAZ score is associated with a higher estimated proportion of type II fibers. Swimmers were categorized by their best stroke, distance category (sprinters, 50-100m; middle distance, 200-400m; or long distance, 800m-open water), and performance level (world-class, world top 10, or elite and world top 100 swimmers outside of the world top 10). There was no significant difference in the CAZ score of sprint- (-0.08 [0.55]), middle- (-0.17 [0.70]), or long-distance swimmers (-0.30 [0.75], P = .693). World-class sprint swimmers (all strokes included) had a significantly higher CAZ score (0.37 [0.70]) when compared to elite sprint swimmers (-0.25 [0.61], P = .024, d = 0.94). Breaststroke swimmers (0.69 [0.73]) had a significantly higher CAZ score compared to freestyle (-0.24 [0.54], P < .001, d = 1.46), backstroke (-0.16 [0.47], P = .006, d = 1.42), and butterfly swimmers (-0.39 [0.53], P < .001, d = 1.70). Furthermore, within the cohort of breaststroke swimmers, there was a significant positive correlation between FINA points and CAZ score (r = .728, P = .011); however, this association was not evident in other strokes. While there was no clear association between muscle typology and event distance specialization, world-class sprint swimmers possess a greater estimated proportion of type II fibers compared to elite sprint swimmers, as well as breaststroke swimmers compared to freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly swimmers.

Postlockdown Performance in French Swimming Championships.

To measure the proportion of French swimmers that progressed, stagnated, or regressed during the 2020 national championship compared with previous ones. Individual best performances were collected at the French national championships from 2000 to 2020. Yearly proportions of swimmers who improved, stagnated, or regressed in performances were compared with their previous performances. In 2020, the proportion of swimmers with performance regression has significantly increased (33% vs 17% in 2019). Women showed a higher proportion of performance regression (41%) than men (26%, P < .0001) in 2020. Only 39% of women and 53% of men experienced progression in 2020 (vs 60.8% [3.7%] and 66.7% [5.2%], respectively, in the previous years). Only the 2008 and 2009 championships showed a regression proportion that did not increase with age. The 2010 championship (the year of swimsuits ban) showed a higher proportion of regressing athletes than these previous years. Long-distance events showed higher proportion of performance regression (36.2% [0.5%]) for 400-, 800-, and 1500-m races than for short-distance ones (32.1% [3.2%]; 50-, 100-, and 200-m events). Breaststroke events showed higher regression (42.4%) than other styles (30.5% [2.1%]). Younger swimmers more often improved their performance than older ones (61.9% [8.5%] for swimmers less than 18 y of age vs 20.0% [10.8%] for those 25 y and older). A high proportion of swimmers experienced performance regression during the 2020 French national championships. A higher impact was observed among female, long-distance, and breaststroke swimmers. Eight weeks of lockdown without training may have led to poorer swimming performances.

Reliability of the active drag assessment using an isotonic resisted sprint protocol in human swimming

The purpose of the presents study was to investigate the reliability of the active drag (Da) assessment using the velocity perturbation method (VPM) with different external resisted forces. Eight male and eight female swimmers performed 25 m sprints with five isotonic loads (1–2–3–4–5 kg for females; 1–3–5–7–9 kg for males), which were repeated twice on different days. The mean velocity and semi-tethered force were computed for each condition, and the free-swimming maximum velocity was estimated with load-velocity profiling. From the obtained variables, Da at the maximum free-swimming condition was calculated using VPM. Absolute and typical errors and the intra-class correlation (ICC) were calculated to assess test–retest reliability. 95% confidence interval (95% CI) lower bound of ICC was larger than 0.75 in 3, 4 (females only) and 5 kg trials in both sexes (corresponding to 37–60 N additional resistance; all p < 0.001), which also showed small absolute and relative typical errors (≤ 2.7 N and ≤ 4.4%). In both sexes, 1 kg load trial (16–17 N additional resistance) showed the lowest reliability (95% CI of ICC; − 0.25–0.83 in males and 0.07–0.94 in females). These results suggested that a tethered force of 37–60 N should be used to assess Da using VPM.

Changes in Muscle Activation During and After a Shoulder-Fatiguing Task: A Comparison of Elite Female Swimmers and Water Polo Players.

This study compared female athletes with different aquatic sports expertise in their neuromuscular activation before, during, and after a shoulder internal rotation fatigue protocol. Eleven water polo players, 12 swimmers, and 14 controls completed concentric maximal voluntary external and internal shoulder rotations before and after a fatigue protocol consisting of concentric internal rotations at 50% of maximal voluntary contraction for at least 3 min or until reporting a rating of perceived effort RPE of 8/10 or higher. Muscle activation was measured for the maximal voluntary contractions, as well as for the first (T1), middle (T2), and third (T3) minute of the fatigue protocol using surface electromyography (EMG) on pectoralis major, anterior and posterior deltoid, upper and middle trapezius, and latissimus dorsi. Intramuscular EMG was used for supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis. Pre-fatigue internal rotation torque was significantly correlated with shorter task duration (r = −0.39, p = 0.02), with water polo players producing significantly greater torque than controls but having significantly lower endurance. Swimmers demonstrated decreased latissimus dorsi activation at T3 compared to T2 (p = 0.020, g = 0.44) and T1 (p = 0.029, g = 0.74), differing from water polo players and controls who exhibited increased agonist activation and decreased activation of stabilizers. Comparing the pre-fatigue to the post-fatigue maximal shoulder rotations, water polo players had decreased activation in subscapularis (p = 0.018, g = 0.67); all groups had decreased activation in latissimus dorsi (p < 0.001), though swimmers demonstrated a large effect (g = 0.97); and controls had decreased activation in supraspinatus (p = 0.005, g = 0.71). Together, these results suggest that sports expertise may be associated with different muscle activation both while and after fatigue is induced. Further research should continue to explore sports-specific patterns of muscle recruitment and fatigue adaptations, as well as if certain strategies are adaptive or maladaptive. This may have important consequences for injury prevention among athletes who perform repetitive overhead movements in their sports and who are susceptible to overuse injuries.

The perceived knowledge of the menstruation cycle and adjustment of swimming sets by swimming coaches based on menstrual-related issues.

Menstruation is the recurring discharge of the endometrial lining of the uterus as menstrual blood and tissue. The menstruation cycle affects most adolescent females and, although largely overlooked, affects women participating in sports. The aim of this study was to determine whether coaches were aware of their swimmers' menstrual cycles and whether coaches considered this information when adjusting training sets. Within the case study, a partial mixed-method, sequential dominant status approach was used. Data were collected in the form of questionnaires, focus group discussions, and one-on-one interviews. Coaches' awareness of their female swimmers' menstrual cycles was based more on observation than communication from the swimmer. Coaches explained that training is adjusted based on their observations, but whether this is being done correctly during the menstrual cycle requires more research. Swimmers and coaches alike seem to have minimal knowledge of menstruation, its effects on training, and how to adapt to, or overcome, those effects during training or competition. In future, this knowledge could ensure the longevity of female swimmers in the sport. Understanding whether coaches and swimmers recognise the effect of the menstrual cycle within training and competition provides a more inclusive approach to ensure athlete longevity after puberty. This approach is grounded in creating an understanding between the swimmer and coach about the effect of menstruation during training and competition. It ensures an extended and more successful participation which may also assist in dealing with the 'taboo' surrounding menstruation and the female athlete.

WHOLE BODY COMPOSITION AND BONE MINERAL DENSITY MEASURED BY DUAL-ENERGY X-RAY ABSORPTIOMETRY IN YOUNG SWIMMERS

Height-adjusted indexes that reflect muscularity and fatness have recently gained great momentum in exercise and sports sciences as these indexes are considered to more accurately predict general body composition (BC) status, compared to body mass index. The aim of the study was to compare BC components and height-adjusted indexes between young swimmers and non-athlete controls. Thirty-four young volunteers, consisting of eighteen swimmers (male n=8; female n=10) and sixteen college students serving as a control group (male n=8; female n=8), participated in this study. BC and whole-body bone mineral density (BMD) were measured using DXA and height-normalized indexes of fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) were calculated. Two-way (group*sex) ANOVA was used to compare the BC components within and between the groups. No differences in body mass index (BMI), age, and body weight were observed between the groups (p&amp;gt;0.05). Swimmers had greater LM and lean mass index (LMI), and lower total body fat mass percentage (FM%), fat mass index (FMI), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (p&amp;lt;0.01) compared to controls. BMD was similar in both groups regardless of sex (p&amp;gt;0.05). Male swimmers had lower FM% and FMI, and higher LM than female swimmers (p&amp;lt;0.001). BMD was correlated with BMI, LM, LMI, appendicular LMI (r=0.47, 0.55, 0.62, 0.60, respectively; p&amp;lt;0.001) and FM% (r=-0.35; p=0.04). Swimmers had higher lean and lower fat mass and VAT compared to inactive college students with similar age. Accordingly, swimming improves BC components; however, it does not seem to increase bone mineral density due to the reduced weight-bearing effect.

Systemic Review of Swim Bench Training During Last Five Years

Purpose: There are numerous advantages to train the swimmers on swim-bench, which is why this systematic review critically evaluate the published data for this practise. The current review’s purpose is to evaluate the efficacy of swim bench training in light of recent research conducted over the past five years.&#x0D; Methodology / Evidence Acquisitionː Published articles that examined the benefits and uses of a swim bench training on an athlete were reviewed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. An electronic database search based on three databases that include PubMed, Google Scholar, and Taylor &amp; Francis was done using keywords "Swim bench” and “Swim bench training”. The database search was limited to articles between January 2016 to the date to include the data of 5 years. It retrieved 1289 articles on sight. Articles that were originally published in a language other than English or did not have translated version in English were omitted from the study by the researcher. Conclusionsː Jaime &amp; Maria (2017) and González Ravé J et al., (2018) studied isokinetic force production, there was no significant result found related to isokinetic force and in isokinetic power a slight decrease was observed in that of isokinetic force. Whereas, Popovici &amp; Suciu (2017) proved the strength and velocity gain in young female swimmers after swim bench training and also enhanced muscle synchronization as well as improved propulsive force generation and considered it as a source of improvement and immediate instruction for better training purposes. However, swim-bench is widely being used from coaches in several manner of dry land training among swimmers at elite level as well. it is further suggested that further experimental studies needed to observe the swim-bench effect on training as well as rehabilitation purpose scientifically with the principal of specificity of sports training.

Comparing cross-sectional and longitudinal tracking to establish percentile data and assess performance progression in swimmers

To provide percentile curves for short-course swimming events, including 5 swimming strokes, 6 race distances, and both sexes, as well as to compare differences in race times between cross-sectional analysis and longitudinal tracking, a total of 31,645,621 race times of male and female swimmers were analyzed. Two percentile datasets were established from individual swimmers’ annual best times and a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine differences between cross-sectional analysis and longitudinal tracking. A software-based percentile calculator was provided to extract the exact percentile for a given race time. Longitudinal tracking reduced the number of annual best times that were included in the percentiles by 98.35% to 262,071 and showed faster mean race times (P < 0.05) compared to the cross-sectional analysis. This difference was found in the lower percentiles (1st to 20th) across all age categories (P < 0.05); however, in the upper percentiles (80th to 99th), longitudinal tracking showed faster race times during early and late junior age only (P < 0.05), after which race times approximated cross-sectional tracking. The percentile calculator provides quick and easy data access to facilitate practical application of percentiles in training or competition. Longitudinal tracking that accounts for drop-out may predict performance progression towards elite age, particularly for high-performance swimmers.

Menstrual status and perceived coaching strategy and training methodology in high-performance female swimmers from Slovenia - Preliminary study

Female swimmers participate in intensive swimming training during their menstrual periods, and they may appreciate additional understanding and flexibility regarding their training volume/intensity. Male coaches often view menstruation contemptuously as an unfortunate state that “is not a disease,” and high-performance female swimmers perceive coaching methods differently. Our study aimed to examine menstrual status and perceived coaching and training methodology. In a cross-sectional study, members of the Slovenian women’s national swim team (n = 14, age: 16.6 ± 3.1 years, body mass index: 20.1 ± 1.9 kg/m2) competing at international and national levels were included. The menstrual status (i.e., regularity, duration, perceived pain before and during menstruation, bleeding) and the opinion of these female swimmers regarding training during their menstrual periods were assessed via our in-depth questionnaire, and the athletes responded to additional questions pertaining to the motivation of swimming, coaching strategy and training methods via a questionnaire. All swimmers included in our study had experienced their first menstrual period, and the majority (85%) reported moderate or heavy menstrual bleeding. Most swimmers (93%) reported that their swimming training was “undisturbed” during their menstrual period; however, 64% of swimmers requested a reduction in training frequency or at least the usual training volume/intensity. In terms of the motivation for swimming, 74% of swimmers reported that they like swimming and like spending time with their friends. In terms of coaching and training methods, the swimmers reported polarized responses, probably because most of them are members of two major swimming clubs with different coaching styles. To conclude, when executed correctly, a similar kind of systematic screening method (i.e., anonymously and perhaps by experienced psychologists) may serve as a valuable tool to further modify training methods at a high-performance level. Moreover, unpleasant issues related to menstrual periods from the athlete’s perspective (i.e., pain, bleeding, malaise, discomfort, inability to achieve maximum effort) should not be ignored, left for swimmers to handle alone, or taken for granted. Male coaches need to seek to understand the impact of menstruation and work with athletes to maximize training.

Performance Development of European Swimmers Across the Olympic Cycle.

The aims of the study were to (1) quantify the performance development of race times and key performance indicators of European swimmers across the last Olympic cycle (from 2016 to 2021) and (2) provide reference values for long-course swimming pool events for both sexes from 50 m to 1,500 m including butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle, and individual medley. Individual events from the 2016 and 2021 European swimming championships were included. Specifically, 246 men (age: 24.2 ± 3.4 years, FINA points: 890 ± 40) and 256 women races (age: 24.2 ± 4, FINA points: 879 ± 38) of the finalists were recorded and key performance indicators and split times analyzed. Performance differences in finalists of the 2016 and 2021 European championships were determined by an independent t-test and Cohen's d effect size. Reference values were retrieved from 2021 European championship finalists and are provided for all key performance indicators. Race times improved significantly (P < 0.05) or showed moderate (d = 0.5–1) to large effect sizes (d > 1) in 14 (men) and 6 (women) out of 16 events. Improvements were primarily evident in 100 m and 200 m events for males, as well as BR and sprint events for female swimmers. While start times improved in 15 (men) and 14 (women) events, turn times remained inconclusive in both sexes. Generally, breakout distances increased. Clean swimming velocities were faster in 12 (men) and 5 (women) events. In particular, for alternating swimming strokes, i.e., backstroke and freestyle, effect sizes indicated improved swimming efficiency with an inverse relationship between reduced stroke rate and increased distance per stroke. Coaches and performance analysts may use the present reference values as comparative data for race analyses and to specifically prepare swimmers for the various race sections. Data on the performance development should be used to analyze swimmers' potential and set goals for the various events and the next Olympic cycle.

Kinematic and dynamic analyses of the front crawl tumble turn in elite female swimmers

Based on a three-dimensional (3D) underwater analysis, the objective of the present study was to identify the biomechanical variables the most associated with turn times in 10 elite female swimmers. For each participant (95.7 ± 2.6% of the 200 m freestyle world record), the best-time turn (from 3 m in to 3 m out, 2.89 ± 0.08 s) was analysed from a three-dimensional (3D) direct linear transformation kinematical reconstruction and the use of a piezoelectric force platform. Bivariate analysis showed that lateral impulse was linked to turn time (r = -0.76, p = 0.01) as well as horizontal velocities at end of the glide and swim resumption (respectively, 1.88 ± 0.2 m·s−1 and 1.48 ± 0.15 m·s−1; r = -0.67 and -0.68; p < 0.05 for both variables). One variable was considered relevant in the best Lasso (Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator) model: the lateral impulse (8.8 ± 5.1 N·s) during the placement sub-phase.The best tumble turn times were associated with higher lateral impulse during the placement and faster velocities during the underwater actions. The lateral impulse may reflect the swimmers’ longitudinal rotation which was higher for the fastest swimmers.

Sex Difference in Female and Male Ice Swimmers for Different Strokes and Water Categories Over Short and Middle Distances: A Descriptive Study

BackgroundWinter swimming developed from a national tradition into a health-improving sport with international competitions. The difference in performance between women and men was thoroughly examined in various sporting disciplines; however, there is little data on winter swimming events. Therefore, this study aims to compare the sex differences in female and male winter swimmers for a distinct stroke over distances of 25 m and 200 m in ice water, freezing water and cold water in the multiple stages of the Winter Swimming World Cup, hosted by the International Winter Swimming Association (IWSA) since 2016.MethodsAll data included in this study were obtained from the official results of the Winter Swimming World Cup, published on the “International Winter Swimming Association” (IWSA) website. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare race time between sexes in different swimming strokes and categories of water. In contrast, the Kruskal–Wallis H test was used to compare differences between swimming strokes or water categories for the same sex.ResultsFor 25 m and 200 m events of the “IWSA World Cup,” male athletes were faster than female athletes, regardless of stroke and water temperature category. However, the effect size of the difference between the sexes was greater in 25 m than in 200 m for all strokes and water temperatures. Swimming speed for the same-sex differed between the swimming stroke in relation to the water temperature category. Head-up breaststroke was found to be the slowest stroke (p < 0.05).ConclusionIn water temperatures between − 2° and + 9 °C, men were faster than women in all stages of the “IWSA World Cup,” regardless of the swimming stroke, but the effect size of the difference between the sexes was greater in shorter than in longer events.

Effect of High-intensity Training and Probiotics on Gut Microbiota Diversity in Competitive Swimmers: Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundPhysical exercise has favorable effects on the structure of gut microbiota and metabolite production in sedentary subjects. However, little is known whether adjustments in an athletic program impact overall changes of gut microbiome in high-level athletes. We therefore characterized fecal microbiota and serum metabolites in response to a 7-week, high-intensity training program and consumption of probiotic Bryndza cheese.MethodsFecal and blood samples and training logs were collected from young competitive male (n = 17) and female (n = 7) swimmers. Fecal microbiota were categorized using specific primers targeting the V1–V3 region of 16S rDNA, and serum metabolites were characterized by NMR-spectroscopic analysis and by multivariate statistical analysis, Spearman rank correlations, and Random Forest models.ResultsWe found higher α-diversity, represented by the Shannon index value (HITB-pre 5.9 [± 0.4]; HITB-post 6.4 [± 0.4], p = 0.007), (HIT-pre 5.5 [± 0.6]; HIT-post 5.9 [± 0.6], p = 0.015), after the end of the training program in both groups independently of Bryndza cheese consumption. However, Lactococcus spp. increased in both groups, with a higher effect in the Bryndza cheese consumers (HITB-pre 0.0021 [± 0.0055]; HITB-post 0.0268 [± 0.0542], p = 0.008), (HIT-pre 0.0014 [± 0.0036]; HIT-post 0.0068 [± 0.0095], p = 0.046). Concomitant with the increase of high-intensity exercise and the resulting increase of anaerobic metabolism proportion, pyruvate (p[HITB] = 0.003; p[HIT] = 0.000) and lactate (p[HITB] = 0.000; p[HIT] = 0.030) increased, whereas acetate (p[HITB] = 0.000; p[HIT] = 0.002) and butyrate (p[HITB] = 0.091; p[HIT] = 0.019) significantly decreased.ConclusionsTogether, these data demonstrate a significant effect of high-intensity training (HIT) on both gut microbiota composition and serum energy metabolites. Thus, the combination of intensive athletic training with the use of natural probiotics is beneficial because of the increase in the relative abundance of lactic acid bacteria.

Effects of a 12-Week Detraining Period on Physical Capacity, Power and Speed in Elite Swimmers.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of a prolonged transition period (detraining) on the physical capacity, power, and speed parameters of elite swimmers. Fourteen swimmers (seven females and seven males) aged 20.4 ± 1.7 years participated in the study. The athletes were subjected to two rounds of identical tests at 12-week intervals during the detraining period (DP), which consisted of an evaluation of the athletes’ body weight and composition, a measurement of the power of their lower limbs (Keiser squat, countermovement jump (CMJ), akimbo countermovement jump (ACMJ)) and upper limbs (Keiser arms) on land, and 20-m swimming using the legs only (Crawl Legs test), arms only (Crawl Arms test), and full stroke (Front Crawl test). An analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of the main factor, Gender, on all the measured parameters, while for the factor Detraining, except for Front Crawl (W) (F = 4.27, p = 0.061), no significant interaction effect (Gender × Detraining) was revealed. Among both the male and the female participants, a reduction in lactate-threshold swimming speed (LT Dmax) and a reduction in swimming speed and power on the Crawl Arms, Crawl Legs, and Front Crawl tests was observed after 12 weeks. There were also statistically significant reductions in ACMJ and CMJ jump height and upper-limb power (Keiser squat) among the female and male swimmers. There were no significant changes in body weight or body composition. The study showed a clear deterioration in results for most of the parameters, both for those measured on land and for those measured in water.

Three-dimensional front crawl arm-stroke efficiency and hand displacement in male and female swimmers

ABSTRACT This study aimed (i) to verify if underwater horizontal, vertical and medio-lateral hand displacements (HD), in pull and push phases of the front crawl stroke, can be associated with arm-stroke efficiency (ƞp) and (ii) to compare np and selected kinematic variables between male and female swimmers. Ten male and 10 female swimmers performed an all-out front crawl 25-m test. Data were obtained with six synchronised video cameras (60 Hz) and analysed with a three-dimensional method. Results for males and females were respectively, as follows: (i) horizontal HD: 0.55 ± 0.06 m and 0.61 ± 0.09 m (p = 0.062; d = 0.78); vertical HD: 0.68 ± 0.06 m and 0.58 ± 0.07 m (p < 0.001; d = 1.53); and medio-lateral HD: 0.22 ± 0.07 m and 0.16 ± 0.03 m (p = 0.012; d = 1.11); (ii) ƞp: 0.33 ± 0.02 and 0.32 ± 0.03 (p = 0.48; d = 0.39); (iii) vCOM: 1.77 ± 0.06 m∙s−1 and 1.55 ± 0.10 m∙s−1 (p < 0.001; d = 2.42). Multiple linear regression (p = 0.019) indicated that horizontal and medio-lateral HD were able to predict np. The lower the horizontal hand displacement, the higher the ƞp.

Characterizing Health Events and Return to Sport in Collegiate Swimmers.

Background:There is limited literature characterizing the incidence, variety, and effects of injuries and illnesses observed in elite swimmers.Purpose:To describe the epidemiology of injuries and illnesses affecting elite intercollegiate competitive swimmers.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiology study.Methods:This retrospective study utilized a deidentified injury and illness database of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I swimmers in the Pacific Coast Conference from the academic years 2016 to 2017 and 2019 to 2020. A health event was defined as an illness or musculoskeletal injury that was identified by an athletic trainer or team physician. Musculoskeletal injuries and nonmusculoskeletal injuries and illnesses were stratified by body location. Injuries were further characterized as career-ending, season-ending, missed time but the athlete returned to sport in the same season, or those that did not cause missed time. Relative risk (RR) was used to compare the percentage of athletes affected between women and men, with statistical significance being defined by a 95% CI not including 1.Results:Included were 641 collegiate swimmers (301 male, 340 female). There were 1030 health events among 277 women and 173 men, with 635 (61.7%) occurring in women and 395 (38.3%) in men. There were 540 musculoskeletal injuries reported, most of which involved the shoulder (n = 126; 23.3%), spine (n = 95; 17.6%), foot/ankle/lower leg (n = 81; 15.0%), knee/thigh (n = 67; 12.4%), and hand/wrist/forearm (n = 52; 9.6%). A total of 490 nonmusculoskeletal health events were reported and included events such as respiratory tract infections (n = 119; 24.3%), unspecified medical illness (n = 93; 19.0%), concussions (n = 58; 11.8%), ear infections (n = 25; 5.1%), and gastrointestinal illnesses (n = 24; 4.9%). Compared with male swimmers, female swimmers were at a higher risk of sustaining both musculoskeletal injury (RR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.22-1.83) and nonmusculoskeletal injury/illness (RR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.04-1.68). There were 58 documented concussions, with 8 (13.8%) being season-ending, but not career-ending and 14 (24.1%) being career-ending. Women had a higher rate of concussion (9.1% vs 4.3% for men; RR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.13-3.96).Conclusion:This retrospective study identified the most common injuries and illnesses observed among elite collegiate swimmers. Awareness of the incidence and outcome of injuries and illnesses that affect competitive swimmers may allow for more targeted analyses and injury prevention strategies.

Effects of Knowledge of Results and Change-Oriented Feedback on Swimming Performance.

This study examined the effect of providing knowledge of results (KR) with, and without, promotion- and change-oriented feedback on repeated-sprint ability in swimmers. Twenty-nine male and female swimmers (age = 16 [1]y, height = 1.74 [0.07]m, body mass = 61.0 [8.4]kg) were randomly allocated into 2 different feedback conditions, or a condition without feedback (NoFb), as a crossover, repeated-measures design. In one feedback condition, the swimmers were provided with lap completion times as KR. The other feedback condition was athlete-driven, where the swimmers were asked to estimate their lap completion times, and the investigators responded on whether their actual sprint times were faster (promotion-oriented), slower (change-oriented), or the same. The results showed significantly faster average completion times during the repeated-sprint swim protocol in the athlete-driven KR (P = .014) and KR condition (P = .023), when compared with the NoFb condition. However, significantly faster best completion time was only found in the KR condition (P = .012), when compared with the NoFb condition. Furthermore, the stroke rate was significantly greater during the athlete-driven KR (P = .009) and KR (P = .021) conditions, when compared with the NoFb condition. The KR condition exhibited the greatest benefit for improving several swimming performance measures during a repeated-sprint protocol, and the increase in stroke rate may have contributed to this performance enhancement. Thus, it is recommended that swimmers receive lap completion times during repeated-sprint training sessions to optimize training quality.

Non-invasive brain stimulation over the orbital prefrontal cortex maintains endurance performance in mentally fatigued swimmers

Background: Using anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) on frontal brain areas might be a promising strategy to mitigates mental fatigue and maintain endurance performance swimmers. Objective: The objective was to analyze the effect of a-tDCS over the orbital prefrontal cortex (oPFC) on endurance performance of mentally fatigued female amateur swimmer. Methods: Nineteen female amateur swimmers participated in this study. In two experimental visits, the swimmers completed the 3-min all-out tethered swimming after performing a 30-min Stroop test with a-tDCS or placebo (Sham) stimulation over the left-oPFC. The brain stimulation conditions (i.e., a-tDCS and Sham) were performed in a double-blinded and counterbalanced order. Results: It was found lower critical force, mean force, force minimum, fatigue index, and aerobic impulse for Sham than a-tDCS (p < 0.05). There was no main effect of condition for peak force (p > 0.05). Conclusion: We concluded that a-tDCS applied over the left-oPFC in female amateur swimmers mentally fatigued maintained endurance performance. From a practical point of view, the use of a-tDCS should be considered to counteract harmful cognitive effects and maintain endurance performance during competitive race events.

The effect of four weeks of total-body resistance training (TRX) on muscular function and performance of young female swimmers

هدف: رکورد در شنای رقابتی از مهم‌ترین دغدغه‌های مربیان امروزه است و پیدا کردن بهترین نوع تمرینات مقاومتی که از مهم‌ترین عوامل تأثیرگذار بر آمادگی جسمانی و رکورد شناگر است، از جایگاه ویژه‌ای برخوردار است. هدف از این پژوهش، بررسی تأثیر چهار هفته تمرین مقاومتی کل بدن (TRX)، بر عملکرد عضلانی و اجرای شناگران زن جوان بود.روش‌ها: به‌منظور انجام این پژوهش 12 زن شناگر سطح دانشگاهی به دو گروه کنترل و TRX تقسیم شدند. گروه کنترل تنها تمرینات شنا و گروه تجربی علاوه‌بر تمرینات شنا، هشت حرکت TRX مشابه با شنا نیز انجام دادند. برنامة پژوهش شامل چهار هفته، سه جلسه در هفته تمرینات عمومی شنا کردن و یا تمرینات شنا و TRXبود. عملکرد عضلانی توسط دستگاه ایزوکنتیک و اجرای شنا از طریق رکورد و تعداد ضربه‌های دست و پا در مسافت‌های 25 و 50 متر شنا قورباغه سنجیده شد. دامنة اختلاف قبل و بعد داده‌های حاصله با استفاده از آزمون آماری تی مستقل بررسی شد.نتایج: نتایج نشان داد که رکورد شنای 25 متر در هر دو گروه بهبود معنادار بدون تفاوت بین‌گروهی داشته است (289/0 P=)، با وجود این، تعداد ضربات در گروه تجربی به‌طور معناداری کمتر بود (031/0 P=). عملکرد عضلانی در گروه TRX در شنای 25 متر و کل کار مصرفی برحسب ژول در شنای 50 متر در گروه تجربی افزایش معنادار نشان داد (05/ 0>P).نتیجه‌گیری: نتایج این پژوهش بیان می‌کند که ترکیب TRX با تمرین شنا برای بهبود عملکرد شناگران مناسب‌تر است. همچنین به‌علت رعایت اصل ویژگی تمرین و استفادة آسان و ارزان پیشنهاد می‌شود شناگران از این شیوة تمرینی بهره ببرند.

Swimming Through Ambivalence: The Paradox of Vigilant Coping in Female College Athletes

Three decades of research into disordered eating in sports have revealed contradictory results, with athletes considered both at risk but also protected from eating problems. To contribute insight into the complexities of existing literature, this study examines how female college swimmers in the US experience food and their bodies in athletic, non-athletic, and digital media contexts. Drawing on 16 in- depth interviews, this study finds that these athletes experience contradictory ideals, especially in the domains of health and online self- presentation. When faced with such tensions, they often seek resolution through heightened discipline and attention towards controlling the body, a phenomenon that I call vigilant coping. While vigilant coping can provide some satisfaction and respite, it often exacerbates confusion and reproduces anxieties. As a result, a predominant strategy for resolving ambivalence becomes a source of additional distress around food and body. The women in this study show how athletic contexts contribute to the paradox of vigilant coping but also reveal creative ways of coping that go beyond vigilance. These findings are particularly important given the low success of disordered eating treatments and urgency towards improving preventative efforts.