Majority Of Swimmers Research Articles

Pre-Season Nutritional Intake and Prevalence of Low Energy Availability in NCAA Division III Collegiate Swimmers.

There is limited information regarding the dietary habits and energy availability (EA) of collegiate athletes. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to assess the nutrient intakes, dietary habits, and prevalence of low EA (<30 kcals/kg FFM) in a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III male and female swimmers. Energy and nutrient intake, body composition, and exercise energy expenditure was assessed in 30 (n = 15 males, n = 15 females) NCAA Division III swimmers during pre-season using three-day diet and seven-day activity records alongside multi-frequency, bioelectric impedance analysis. A validated screening tool was used to assess for low EA in the female swimmers. Mean EA in male and female athletes was 32.7 ± 12 and 34.9 ± 13.7 kcals/kg FFM, respectively, and was not significantly different between the sexes (p = 0.65). Twenty percent of swimmers (n = 3 males, n = 3 females) presented with optimal EA, 37% (n = 5 males, n = 6 females) presented with sub-optimal EA, and 43% (n = 7 males, n = 6 females) presented with low EA. Swimmers who presented with a low EA consumed significantly less calories, carbohydrates, and proteins than non-low EA swimmers (p < 0.02). The validated screening tool failed to classify 50% of female swimmers who presented with low EA. Only eight athletes achieved the USDA MyPlate recommendation for fruits, whereas three athletes achieved the recommendation for vegetables, with no differences between the sexes (p > 0.05). The present findings show that there was a high prevalence of low EA during the pre-season among male and female collegiate swimmers that was not fully captured using a validated screening tool for females. Low EA occurred alongside lower intakes of calories, carbohydrates, and proteins, and the majority of swimmers did not meet the United States Department of Agriculture recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake. These data stress the need for improved dietary intakes in NCAA Division III collegiate swimmers.

Awareness of Dental Health in Competitive and Recreational Swimmers

Background: Swimming is an exercise globally popular due to its beneficial effects. It is a well-known fact that chlorine is added to pool water for disinfection, although the repercussion of the same is not prominently described in the literature. Aims: (1) This study aims to establish the presence of symptoms of dental erosion in swimmers who swim competitively as well as recreationally and (2) to compare the gradient of symptoms experienced by the two groups. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional prospective study was carried out to establish the correlation between dental erosion in swimmers who swim competitively (n = 250) – 6 or more than 6 h a week and recreationally (n = 250) – lesser than 6 h a week. A questionnaire was distributed both online and manually across India and feedback was received. All the findings were correlated and statistically analyzed. Observation and Results: The results showed the distinct presence of the phenomenon among a majority of swimmers who experienced an array of symptoms of dental erosion such as chalkiness of teeth in 58.2% of subjects, roughness of teeth in 54.4%, generalized sensitivity in 38.2%, sensitivity to hot and cold foods/drinks in 52%, discoloration in 37.6%, and staining in 36.6% subjects. A remarkable finding of this study was the lack of generalized awareness with respect to the phenomenon among competitive and recreational swimmers Conclusion: This study highlights the prevalence of the phenomenon and the general lack of awareness among swimmers with respect to dental erosion associated with exposure to the chlorinated pool water.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on swimmers in Poland

Abstract Study aim: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health, lifestyle, training loads and competition starts of swimmers in Poland in 2020. Material and methods: The study was conducted in the form of a questionnaire on group of 123 Polish swimmers in 2020. The survey asked about differences in training, lifestyle and well-being following the introduction of pandemic restrictions. The mean age of the athletes was 23 years ± 7.6 and training experience 10 years ± 5.3. Results: The majority of swimmers (81%) were satisfied with their health status. Respondents did not experience changes in sleep quality and length during the COVID-19 pandemic. A large proportion of respondents (83%) did not follow a special diet, while they were willing to use supplementation (58.5%). Respondents stated that the pandemic did not affect their physical activity outside of training. The athletes evaluated negatively the changes in training and competition conditions caused by the pandemic (p &lt; 0.0001). Conclusions: The study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic did not have a major impact on the health, sleep and physical activity of swimmers in Poland in 2020, while it had a negative impact in terms of training conditions and sport competition.

NUTRITIONAL STRATEGIES OF SLOVENIAN NATIONAL JUNIOR SWIMMING TEAM

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to assess the nutritional strategies of Slovenian national junior swimming team and compare them with recommendations of clinical sports nutrition. Competitive young swimmers namely have increased energy and nutrient needs compared to general adolescents due to frequent and intense training. Despite some physiological differences from adults, adult sports nutrition recommendations for macronutrients apply to them. Further, literature reports iron, calcium, and vitamin D intake as frequently inadequate.Methods: Nutritional strategies of 19 members of Slovenian national junior swimming team were assessed retrospectively through 3-day food and activity diaries, questionnaires, anthropometric data including bioimpedance analysis. Energy availability (EA), macronutrient intake and timing, iron, calcium and vitamin D intakes, hydration, consumption of sports food and dietary supplement use were evaluated.Results: EA in some of male swimmers and in majority of female swimmers was lower than recommended. Carbohydrate intake was adequate in male swimmers and two thirds of female swimmers. Although average protein intake exceeded the upper recommended limit, some female swimmers did not meet the lower recommended intake limit. Total fat intake was lower than recommended, with saturated fat intake on the upper recommended level. Calcium and iron intake in male swimmers exceeded recommended values, while female swimmers had lower calcium intake than recommended and some had lower iron intake, too. Vitamin D intake was low in all swimmers. Meal timing was adequate in majority of swimmers, who often reached for dietary supplements, mostly omega 3 fatty acids, multivitamins, and magnesium.Conclusions: Low EA in young competitive swimmers is of concern. More successful, personalised nutrition strategies for young competitive swimmers, focusing on higher energy intake and healthy food choices, would contribute to the preservation of their health and development into top performers.

Bone Functionality and Division II Male and Female Collegiate Athletes from Multiple Sports

Participation in athletics is a risk factor for stress fracture however athletes are also viewed as icons of health, specifically bone health. Bone adaptation may vary depending on the type of loading; high or low impact sport. Are the tibiae of athletes involved in high impact sports (volleyball and soccer) functionally adapted compared to runners and swimmers? PURPOSE: To determine if Division II collegiate athletes had functionally adapted tibia (sufficient strength relative to body size) and whether functional adaptation can be determined from both the 25% and 50% tibial site. METHODS: No single variable indicates bone strength (Jepsen, 2013) and therefore cortical area (Ct.Ar), cortical bone mineral density (cBMD), moment of inertia (J) and bone strength (Strength-strain Index) were measured in 73 athletes (46 females and 27 males (age: 20.2 ± 1.7 yrs, body fat % 16.9 ± 7.5)) and 19 college student controls (8 females and 11 males (age: 23.3 ± 2.3 yrs, body fat % 21.1 ± 7.7)) using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at 25% and 50% of tibial length. Bone functionality was assessed by plotting bone strength vs loading (body weight x tibial length) and robustness (total area/length) vs loading. Based on the residuals from the regression, an athlete’s individual functionality was determined and two groups were formed (functionally adapted (FA) and under adapted (UA)). Student’s t-test detected differences. RESULTS: Height, weight, % body fat and tibial length were similar between the FA and UA groups. However, the FA female group had stronger (27%), more robust bones (23%), with larger moments of inertia (J) (33%) than the female UA group. Male FA group had similar cortical area and cBMD (P<0.05) as the male UA group but they had more robust (23%) stronger (26%) bones with larger J (32%). Both the 25% and 50% sites resulted in similar FA and UA groups and differences. Interestingly the FA and UA groups were comprised of athletes from all teams yet a majority of swimmers were found in the UA female group. CONCLUSIONS: Bone functional adaptation cannot be determined by anthropometric variables. FA groups had robust tibiae at the 25% and 50% site and larger J, allowing them to withstand the bending and torsional loads in sports. Determining bone functionality using the 25% or 50% site of the tibia yielded similar results.

The effect of cold water endurance swimming on core temperature in aspiring English Channel swimmers

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine if cold water swimmers (CWS) developed hypothermia over a 6-h cold water endurance swim and whether body composition, stroke rate (SR) or personal characteristics correlated with core temperature (TC) change. Nine experienced male and female CWS who were aspiring English Channel (EC) swimmers volunteered to participate. Subjects aimed to complete their 6-h EC qualifying swim (water 15–15.8 °C/air 15–25 °C) while researchers intermittently monitored TC and SR. Data obtained included anthropometry (height, mass, segmental body composition), training volume and EC completion.ResultsOf the nine swimmers who volunteered, all successfully completed their EC qualifying swim. Six CWS had complete data included in analysis. One CWS demonstrated hypothermia (34.8 °C) at 6-h. TC rate of decline was slower in the first 3 h (−0.06 °C/hr) compared to the last 3 h (−0.36 °C/hr) of the swim. Older age was significantly correlated to TC change (r = −0.901, p < 0.05) and SR change (r = −0.915, p < 0.05). Absolute and percentage body fat (BF) were not significantly associated with higher TC. Mean SR over the 6-h swim was 57.8 spm (range 48–73 spm), and a significant (p < 0.05) decline in SR was observed over the 6 h (−9.7 %). A strong, positive correlation was found between SR change between 3 and 6 h and TC over the 6 h (r = 0.840, p < 0.05) and TC from 3–6 h (r = 0.827, p < 0.05). Seven of the nine participants (77.8 %) in this study successfully completed the EC crossing. Successful EC swimmers swam in the pool and open water (OW); however, they swam significantly [t (7) = −2.433, p < 0.05] more kilometres (M = 19.09 km/wk ± 5.55) in OW than unsuccessful (M = 9 km/wk ± 1.41) EC swimmers. There was a significant relationship between EC crossing time and height (r = −0.817, p < 0.05), but no other variables and EC crossing time.ConclusionsCold water endurance swim (CWES) of 6-h duration at 15–16 °C resulted in TC reduction in the majority of swimmers regardless of anthropometry. More research is required to determine why some CWS are able to maintain their TC throughout a CWES. Our results indicate that older swimmers are at greater risk of developing hypothermia, and that SR decline is an indicator of TC decline. Our results also suggest that OW swimming training combined with pool training is important for EC swim success.

Prevalence of freestyle biomechanical errors in elite competitive swimmers.

Background:Poor freestyle stroke biomechanics is a suggested risk factor for shoulder pain and pathology, but this has not been proven in biomechanical or clinical studies. Furthermore, the prevalence of these theoretical errors has not been identified, which would help coaches, athletic trainers, and researchers determine the most appropriate errors to focus on and develop interventions.Hypothesis:The majority of swimmers will present with at least 1 freestyle stroke error.Study Design:Cross-sectional study.Level of Evidence:Level 4.Methods:Stroke biomechanics for 31 swimmers from a collegiate swimming team were captured using underwater/above-water cameras. Each video was evaluated for biomechanical errors: a dropped elbow during the pull-through phase, a dropped elbow during the recovery phase, an eyes-forward head-carrying angle, incorrect hand position during hand entry, incorrect hand entry angle, incorrect pull-through pattern, and inadequate body roll. Error prevalence was calculated, and relationships among the errors were evaluated using chi-square statistics.Results:A dropped elbow during the pull-through phase (61.3%) and a dropped elbow during the recovery phase (53.2%) had the highest prevalence. A dropped elbow during the recovery phase was significantly associated with a thumb-first hand entry angle (P = 0.027) and incorrect hand entry position (P = 0.009). An eyes-forward head-carrying angle was associated with an incorrect pull-through pattern (P = 0.047).Conclusion:Biomechanical errors potentially detrimental to the shoulder are prevalent among swimmers. Many of the errors were interrelated, suggesting that one error may lead to other errors.Clinical Relevance:These errors highlight the need for proper stroke instruction and evaluation to decrease the risk of shoulder injury in competitive swimmers.

Practice Habits and Attitudes and Behaviors Concerning Shoulder Pain in High School Competitive Club Swimmers

The objective of this study is to describe the practice habits, injury frequency, and attitudes and behaviors concerning shoulder pain in high school-aged competitive swimmers and describe the relationship between attitudes and behaviors. Cross-sectional research design. Local swimming clubs. One hundred two swimmers, aged 13-18 years, at the top training level of their club team were included in the study. Participants were given a survey with questions regarding swimming practice and attitudes and behaviors concerning shoulder pain. Practice habits (yards/week, practice/week, dry-land and weight/week, and months swimming/year) and attitudes and behaviors concerning shoulder pain. Subjects completed an average of 6.89 ± 1.41 swimming practices/wk of 6000 to 7000 yd/practice. The majority of swimmers believe that mild and moderate shoulder pain is normal in swimming and should be tolerated to complete practice, while a majority responded that they swim with shoulder pain. Seventy-three percent of swimmers reported using pain medication to manage their shoulder pain. There was a significant correlation between attitude and behaviors of moderate and severe shoulder pain. Club swimmers have a high frequency of practices, comparable to collegiate and professional swimmers. They believe that shoulder pain is normal and should be tolerated to complete practice. The association between the swimmers' attitudes and behaviors indicates that the interventions that educate the swimmers, coaches, and parents may be effective in changing their attitudes and ultimately their behaviors, decreasing the number of athletes who train with shoulder pain.

Beach Bug Bingo: Toward Better Prediction of Swimming-Related Health Effects

Vol. 114, No. 1 EnvironewsOpen AccessBeach Bug Bingo: Toward Better Prediction of Swimming-Related Health Effectsis accompanied byRapidly Measured Indicators of Recreational Water Quality Are Predictive of Swimming-Associated Gastrointestinal Illness Nancy Bazilchuk Nancy Bazilchuk Search for more papers by this author Published:1 January 2006https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.114-a48aAboutSectionsPDF ToolsDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InReddit Swimming is a popular pastime in the United States. The 2000–2002 National Survey on Recreation and the Environment reported that each year an estimated 89 million Americans swim in recreational waters including lakes, oceans, streams, rivers, and ponds. But swimming waters may also be contaminated by human sewage from treatment plants and runoff, raising the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) illness in swimmers. The recommended test for measuring contamination requires culturing fecal indicator bacteria, which means that beach managers must wait 24 hours for results. This built-in delay is problematic, potentially exposing swimmers to unhealthy water quality and sometimes resulting in unnecessary beach closures. Now a team of federal researchers has shown that a rapid method for measuring water quality can accurately predict swimming-related health effects [EHP 114:24–28].The researchers conducted health surveys of beachgoers at two public beaches, one on Lake Michigan and one on Lake Erie, and compared them with thrice-daily water quality measurements along transects at the beaches. They evaluated water quality using a modified version of the polymerase chain reaction method (QPCR) to quantify indicator bacteria in water samples. The advantage of this method is that it can provide results in two hours or less. The researchers chose Enterococci and Bacteroides as their indicator organisms.Survey participants were interviewed as they left the beach; follow-up interviews were conducted by telephone 10 to 12 days after the beach visit. When researchers compared results of the water quality tests to participant reports of GI and other illnesses, they found a significant trend between increased reports of GI illnesses and Enterococci at the Lake Michigan beach and a positive, though statistically insignificant, trend for Enterococci at the Lake Erie beach. Bacteroides did not prove to be as powerful in predicting illness, with an insignificant positive trend found only at the Lake Erie beach and no trend at the Lake Michigan beach.When results from the two beaches were combined, the trend for Enterococci and GI illness remained statistically significant, a finding that held true even when samples collected at 8:00 a.m. were compared to daily averages. Beach managers could thus test early-morning samples to assess water quality and, if necessary, close beaches before the majority of swimmers were exposed.In spite of the promising nature of the findings, the authors caution that much research remains to be done before the results can be generalized. One of the key remaining questions relates to the method itself: QPCR relies solely on the presence of DNA to quantify organisms, so pathogens are detected even if they are dead and thus harmless. QPCR may therefore suggest a problem with the water when in fact there is none. The authors say additional studies should help determine if the approach is robust enough to be used in water quality regulations.Wave of the future?If validated, a modified polymerase chain reaction method may become useful for earlier identification of hazardous beach water conditions.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRelated articlesRapidly Measured Indicators of Recreational Water Quality Are Predictive of Swimming-Associated Gastrointestinal Illness1 September 2005Environmental Health Perspectives Vol. 114, No. 1 January 2006Metrics About Article Metrics Publication History Originally published1 January 2006Published in print1 January 2006 Financial disclosuresPDF download License information EHP is an open-access journal published with support from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health. All content is public domain unless otherwise noted. Note to readers with disabilities EHP strives to ensure that all journal content is accessible to all readers. However, some figures and Supplemental Material published in EHP articles may not conform to 508 standards due to the complexity of the information being presented. If you need assistance accessing journal content, please contact [email protected]. Our staff will work with you to assess and meet your accessibility needs within 3 working days.