Masters Swimmers Research Articles

Master swimmers with shoulder pain and disability have altered functional and structural measures.

Supraspinatus tendinopathy and shoulder pain are common in competitive youth swimmers; however, no studies have investigated clinical and structural factors contributing to shoulder pain and disability in master level swimmers. The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine the prevalence of shoulder pain and disability in master level swimmers, 2) to identify the most provocative special tests for shoulder pain, and 3) to determine if shoulder clinical and tissue specific measures, training variables and volume vary between those with and without shoulder pain, dissatisfaction and disability. Cross-sectional. Collegiate swimming facilities. Thirty-nine adult masters level swimmers were evaluated and included in the data analysis. A survey of demographics, training, and pain and disability ratings using the Penn Shoulder Score and Disability of Arm Shoulder Hand sports module. Swimmers underwent a clinical exam including shoulder passive range of motion (PROM), posterior shoulder endurance test (PSET), supraspinatus tendon structure and posterior capsule thickness. One-way ANOVAs were used to compare demographics, clinical and structural findings between those with significant pain, dissatisfaction and disability (+PDD) and those without (-PDD). Fifteen percent of subjects reported pain at rest, 28% with normal activities (eating, dressing), and 69% with strenuous activities (sports) and 50% reported disability. The +PDD group had less shoulder internal rotation (10°), less ER (8°), and completed less yardage per day and per year. There were significant differences in the supraspinatus tendon structure between the +PDD and -PDD groups. Masters swimmers with pain and disability are able to self-limit yardage and likely why they recorded less yardage. The reduced shoulder motion (IR and ER) without posterior capsule differences may be due to rotator cuff muscle/tendon restrictions and the supraspinatus tendon structure may indicate degeneration caused by previous overuse resulting in pain.

Monitoring Master Swimmers' Performance and Active Drag Evolution along a Training Mesocycle.

This study aimed to analyze the effects of a swimming training mesocycle in master swimmers’ performance and active drag. Twenty-two 39.87 ± 6.10 year-old master swimmers performed a 25 m front crawl at maximal intensity before and after a typical four-week training mesocycle. Maximum, mean and minimum speeds, speed decrease and hip horizontal intra-cyclic velocity variation were assessed using an electromechanical speedometer, and the active drag and power to overcome drag were determined using the measuring active drag system. Maximum, mean and minimum front crawl speeds improved from pre- to post-training (mean ± 95% CI: 3.1 ± 2.8%, p = 0.04; 2.9 ± 1.6%, p = 0.01; and 4.6 ± 3.1%, p = 0.01; respectively) and the speed decrease along the 25 m test lowered after the training period (82.5 ± 76.3%, p = 0.01). The training mesocycle caused a reduction in the active drag at speeds corresponding to 70% (5.0 ± 3.9%), 80% (5.6 ± 4.0%), and 90% (5.9 ± 4.0%), but not at 100% (5.9 ± 6.7%), of the swimmers’ maximal exertions in the 25 m test. These results showed that four weeks of predominantly aerobic training could improve master swimmers’ performance and reduce their hydrodynamic drag while swimming mainly at submaximal speeds.

Physical Activity and Aging: Exploring Motivations of Masters Swimmers.

Physical activity benefits the health of older adults (e.g., lowering risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, dementia, and falls). However, less than one in four Americans meets guidelines for physical activity and inactivity increases with age. Masters athletes are exemplary because of their remarkable physical functioning. Swimming is a global, fast-growing sport in Masters athletics. This qualitative study explored motivations and barriers of 18 older adult members of a Masters swim club in Southern California. Guided by a primary research question: Why do Masters swimmers choose swim late in life, when most of their age cohort are becoming less physically active, semi-structured interviews delved into the lived experiences of the participants, and solicited peer feedback. Four main themes emerged: (1) I Just Love the Sensation of Being in the Water, (2) Tell Your Body What to Do Instead of the Other Way Around, (3) Make a Commitment to Your Friends That You’re Going to be There, and (4) I’ve Never Gone This Long in My Life Without Swimming. Participants expressed longing and regret that they could not swim due to COVID risk and safety guidelines. These findings can be used to design community programs to promote lifelong physical activity participation.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Shoulders and Its Associations with Shoulder Pain, Age, and Swim Training in Masters Swimmers.

Background and objectives: The long head of the biceps (LHB) and rotator cuff tendinopathy is the major cause of shoulder pain in competitive swimmers. The risk of tendinopathy increases with aging; however, the structural changes of LHB and rotator cuff in populations of masters swimmers have not been well examined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ultrasonographic abnormalities of the shoulders in masters swimmers, and the association of pain, age, and swim training with structural changes in this population. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 subjects participated in this study, with 20 masters swimmers with shoulder pain, 20 asymptomatic masters swimmers, and 20 sex- and age-matched controls. All swimmers completed a self-reported questionnaire for shoulder pain, their history of competition, and training volume. Each subject underwent ultrasonographic examination of both shoulders for pathologic findings in the LHB tendon, rotator cuff (supraspinatus (SSP) and subscapularis (SSC)) tendons, and subacromial bursa (SAB) of both shoulders and had thickness measured. Results: The prevalence of tendinosis (LHB, 48.8%; SSP, 17.5%; SSC, 15.9%), partial tear (SSP, 35.0%), and calcification (SSC, 10.0%) were higher in swimmers than in controls. LHB and SSP tendinosis were associated with shoulder pain. Older age and later start of competition were associated with an increased risk of LHB tendinosis and SSC calcification. Earlier initiation of swimming and longer history of competition were associated with an increased risk of SSP and SSC tendinosis. The thicker SSP tendon significantly increased the risk of tendinosis and partial tear. Conclusions: A high prevalence of structural changes in the rotator cuff and biceps tendons in masters swimmers reflects the effect of shoulder symptoms, aging, and swim training.

Participation profiles of current masters swimmers and their (lack of) retrospective associations with youth experiences

National athlete development models often give little consideration to the multiple ways in which adults might participate in sport (i.e., recreationally or competitively, through sampling or specialization), or their trajectories into specific patterns of adult sport participation. Using adult swimmers' current and retrospective (youth swimming) data, the purpose of this study was threefold: a) to identify profiles of masters swimmers based on participation characteristics, b) to explore demographic differences between profiles, and c) to retrospectively examine these profiles for meaningful associations with youth swimming experiences. Survey data were collected from 205 Canadian masters swimmers with previous competitive youth swimming experience (M age = 44.4, range = 18–85; 60% women, 40% men). Two-step clustering analysis of masters' current swimming participation resulted in three distinct profiles: 1) “low-competitive specializers,” 2) “high-competitive specializers,” and 3) “samplers.” These profiles were not significantly associated with any demographic variables in adulthood, nor did they differ in terms of youth swimming experiences and time to transition into masters swimming. The remarkable homogeneity of social-demographic variables suggests that further work is needed to make masters swimming more inviting to diverse adult populations. Retrospective data revealed disengagement and later re-engagement in swimming that was consistent across masters profiles. Implications of these findings for coaches and programmers, as well as the need to account for adults' potentially complex re-entries into sport after time away, are discussed.

Low-Volume Sprint Interval Swimming Is Sufficient to Increase Blood Metabolic Biomarkers in Master Swimmers

ABSTRACT Purpose: Sprint interval exercise is a time-efficient way of inducing beneficial adaptations. However, little is known about its minimal effective volume, especially in swimming. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the effects of two sprint interval swimming sets of different low volumes on blood biomarkers. Method: Twenty-one master swimmers [11 females aged 38.5 (8.5) years, 10 males aged 42.7 (5.7) years] completed two freestyle swimming sets of 4 × 50 m and 4 × 25 m at maximal intensity and a work-to-rest ratio of 1:1, on different days, in random and counterbalanced order. Blood samples were taken before, immediately after and one hour after exercise for determination of a number of biochemical parameters. Results: Swimming speed was higher in the 4 × 25-m set. Lactate, glucose, insulin, glucagon, cortisol, and reduced glutathione increased immediately post-exercise, while uric acid increased 1 h post-exercise (p < .05). All aforementioned biomarkers, excluding glucagon, increased more with the 4 × 50-m set, compared to the 4 × 25-m set (p < .05). Session rating of perceived exertion was higher after the 4 × 50-m set (p = .011). Conclusion: Both sprint interval swimming sets elicited increases in blood biomarkers in master swimmers. The set of higher volume elicited greater increases in most of the biochemical markers studied but also in subjective load. Thus, although the set of higher volume was more efficient in perturbing blood biomarkers, even the very low-volume set induced metabolic stress that may trigger adaptive mechanisms.

Beetroot Supplementation Lowers Blood Pressure, But Does Not Improve Exercise Efficiency In Female Masters Swimmers

Beetroot supplements are high in dietary nitrate, which increases nitric oxide (NO) in the blood circulation. While NO can lower blood pressure and reduce the oxygen cost of exercise, this has mainly been studied in male athletes. Less is known about the effects of BRS in female athletes, especially swimmers. PURPOSE: To determine if acute beetroot supplementation (BRS) lowers blood pressure (BP) and improves exercise efficiency in female masters swimmers during treadmill exercise. METHODS: 11 swimmers (57.8±10.5 y) underwent 2 randomized, double-blinded trials and ingested beetroot supplement (BE) or placebo (PL). BP, heart rate (HR), and NO response, determined indirectly via changes in salivary nitrite (NO2-), was measured pre-ingestion (Base), pre-exercise (Pre), and 5 min post-exercise (Post). Oxygen consumption (VO2), HR, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured during the modified Balke test until HR reached 85% of age-predicted maximum. Changes in salivary NO2- were determined using NO2- detection strips and quantified as percentage of reference standard. 2-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine differences in BP, HR and salivary NO2-. Peak VO2, treadmill time, and peak RPE were analyzed by 2-tailed t-tests. RESULTS: Salivary NO2- increased from Base to Post in BE compared to PL (32.5 ± 7.0 vs 2.7 ± 3.9%, p=0.001). No treatment differences existed for peak VO2 (BE: 29.3 ± 2.0 vs PL: 29.7 ± 2.7 ml·kg-1·min-1, p=0.31), treadmill time (BE: 15.5 ± 1.9 vs PL: 15.4 ± 1.8 min, p=0.92), or peak RPE (BE: 6.2 ± 0.5 vs PL: 6.5 ± 0.5, p=0.26). Diastolic BP was significantly lower in BE vs PL, respectively (Base: 74.6 ± 1.7 vs 73.2 ± 2.3, Pre: 73.6 ± 1.8 vs 74.5 ± 2.1, Post: 74.5 ± 1.7 vs 76.1 ± 2.2 mmHg, p=0.03, treatment x time), while systolic BP changes trended towards significance in BE vs PL (Base: 116.6 ± 1.5 vs 115.5 ± 1.6, Pre: 115.0 ± 1.7 vs 116.0 ± 1.7, Post: 116.5 ± 1.4 vs. 118.3 ± 1.5 mmHg, p=0.053). HR at Base, Pre, and Post was not different in BE vs PL (62.0 ± 2.4, 63.2 ± 2.5, and 72.6 ± 3.2 vs 63.6 ± 2.1, 65.4 ± 2.2, and 74.6 ± 2.4 bpm, p=0.86). CONCLUSIONS: Acute BRS lowers diastolic BP, but does not improve exercise efficiency in this group of trained, normotensive female masters swimmers. More research is needed in other female masters athlete groups such as runners and cyclists, and in female athletes with hypertension.

Energetic and Biomechanical Contributions for Longitudinal Performance in Master Swimmers.

Background: The current study aimed to verify the changes in performance, physiological and biomechanical variables throughout a season in master swimmers. Methods: Twenty-three master swimmers (34.9 ± 7.4 years) were assessed three times during a season (December: M1, March: M2, June: M3), in indoor 25 m swimming pools. An incremental 5 × 200 m test was used to evaluate the speed at 4 mmol·L−1 of blood lactate concentration (sLT), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), peak blood lactate ([La-]peak) after the test, stroke frequency (SF), stroke length (SL), stroke index (SI) and propelling efficiency (ηp). The performance was assessed in the 200 m front crawl during competition. Results: Swimming performance improved between M1, M2 (2%, p = 0.03), and M3 (4%, p < 0.001). Both sLT and VO2max increased throughout the season (4% and 18%, p < 0.001, respectively) but not [La-]peak. While SF decreased 5%, SL, SI and ηp increased 5%, 7%, and 6% (p < 0.001) from M1 to M3. Conclusions: Master swimmers improved significantly in their 200 m front crawl performance over a season, with decreased SF, and increased SL, ηp and SI. Despite the improvement in energetic variables, the change in performance seemed to be more dependent on technical than energetic factors.

Musculoskeletal Injuries in Master Swimmers: A National Survey in Turkey.

BackgroundThis study aimed to determine the frequency of musculoskeletal injuries in master swimmers in Turkey.MethodsA questionnaire was formed and distributed to all master swimmers registered with the Turkish Swimming Federation. The collected data included age, sex, the age to start swimming (SAS), weekly training time (WTT), weekly training distance (WTD), any painful episode that lasted more than 10 days in any of the body regions within last one year, any confirmed diagnosis of musculoskeletal disease by a physician, and history of musculoskeletal surgical operation. The descriptive data were presented, and multiple comparisons were made according to demographic characteristics.ResultsThere were 88 male swimmers with a mean age of 47.1±13.2 years (range, 26-89 years). Of the 88 athletes, 27 (30.7%) had no pain in daily activities, and 61 (69.3%) reported pain in at least one region, with a total of 118 pain zones reported. The shoulder was the most common painful body region (n:37, 42.0%), followed by the lower back (n: 24, 27.3%), neck (n: 19, 21.6%), back (n:12, 13.6%), and knee (n:9, 10.2%). The mean age, SAS, WTT, WTD, and distribution of stroke preference were similar in subjects with or without reported pain and diagnosis (p>0.005). Any painful body region and diagnosis were equally distributed in all swimming styles (p>0.05). The most common surgeries were lumbar disc disease (16.7%) and meniscectomy (16.7%).ConclusionCompared to the findings in the current literature, master swimmers do not have as many musculoskeletal problems as their younger counterparts. The problems seen in master swimmers are lower but similar to those in competitive elite swimmers. From the musculoskeletal health perspective, swimming is safe for the master age group. Swimming can be safely offered to elderly patients who underwent even musculoskeletal surgery.

Sex Differences in Swimming Disciplines-Can Women Outperform Men in Swimming?

In recent years, the interest of female dominance in long-distance swimming has grown where several newspaper articles have been published speculating about female performance and dominance—especially in open-water ultra-distance swimming. The aim of this narrative review is to review the scientific literature regarding the difference between the sexes for all swimming strokes (i.e., butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle and individual medley), different distances (i.e., from sprint to ultra-distances), extreme conditions (i.e., cold water), different ages and swimming integrated in multi-sports disciplines, such as triathlon, in various age groups and over calendar years. The influence of various physiological, psychological, anthropometrical and biomechanical aspects to potentially explain the female dominance was also discussed. The data bases Scopus and PUBMED were searched by April 2020 for the terms ’sex–difference–swimming’. Long-distance open-water swimmers and pool swimmers of different ages and performance levels were mainly investigated. In open-water long-distance swimming events of the ’Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming’ with the ’Catalina Channel Swim’, the ’English Channel Swim’ and the ’Manhattan Island Marathon Swim’, women were about 0.06 km/h faster than men. In master swimmers (i.e., age groups 25–29 to 90–94 years) competing in the FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) World Championships in pool swimming in freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, individual medley and in 3000-m open-water swimming, women master swimmers appeared able to achieve similar performances as men in the oldest age groups (i.e., older than 75–80 years). In boys and girls aged 5–18 years—and listed in the all-time top 100 U.S. freestyle swimming performances from 50 m to 1500 m—the five fastest girls were faster than the five fastest boys until the age of ~10 years. After the age of 10 years, and until the age of 17 years, however, boys were increasingly faster than girls. Therefore, women tended to decrease the existing sex differences in specific age groups (i.e., younger than 10 years and older than 75–80 years) and swimming strokes in pool-swimming or even to overperform men in long-distance open-water swimming (distance of ~30 km), especially under extreme weather conditions (water colder than ~20 °C). Two main variables may explain why women can swim faster than men in open-water swimming events: (i) the long distance of around 30 km, (ii) and water colder than ~20 °C. Future studies may investigate more detailed (e.g., anthropometry) the very young (<10 years) and very old (>75–80 years) age groups in swimming

Swimming Pool Environment and Respiratory Health Issues Experienced by Masters Swimmers: Results from a Literature Review and Survey of United States Masters Swimming Clubs

After three members of a Masters adult swim club died of lung cancer, both a literature review and survey were conducted with representatives from 746 United States Masters Swimming clubs to explore a possible relationship between swimming and cancers of the respiratory tract. Six other clubs reported known cancers of the respiratory tract among club members, but none of the other 740 clubs reported a similar cluster of lung cancer. More clubs reported cases of chronic respiratory infections and widespread complaints about air quality. While no studies exploring a relationship between swimming and lung cancer could be found in the literature, there were studies that demonstrated damage to the lungs and mutated bladder cells post-swim from the presence of Disinfectant By-Products (DBPs). Few guidelines exist for safe levels of DBPs in the indoor pool environment. Authors urge more guidance regarding the enforcement of pool policies that protect respiratory health.

Relationship between shoulder functional evaluation and muscle strength of collegiate swimmers

Background: We had performed a study to determine the relationship between shoulder muscle strength and abnormal findings using ultrasonography in Masters swimmers. Abnormal findings were obtained at a relatively high rate, even in shoulders without any symptoms, and no relationship between muscle weakness and abnormal findings was obtained. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between abnormal findings and shoulder muscle strength in collegiate swimmers.

Deleuze and Zhuangzi

Deleuze has presented one of the richest ontologies in 20th century philosophy, and its conceptual machinery could be more fully used also in Sinology. This article focuses on two of his concepts: actualization and counter-actualization. Actualization proceeds from the virtual and through the intensive processes of individuation moves towards actual structures. Counter-actualization proceeds in the opposite direction, and starting from the actual, through creative involution discovers intensities and the virtual. It has the aspects of making a body without organs, creating intensities, and diversifying them. Actualization by differentiation is a common understanding of genetic processes in the Chinese tradition in general, and in the Zhuangzi in particular. In this article, Deleuze’s concepts are used to (re)interpret the account of differentiation in the story of the death of Zhuangzi’s wife, and the strange story from the chapter “Ultimate Joy” where “horses engender men.” Counter-actualization by discarding, dismantling, forgetting, thawing of forms and reaching towards the intensive and the virtual, a merging with the Dao, is a recurrent theme in the Chinese Daoism, and it is shown on the example of Yan Hui’s “sitting and forgetting,” master swimmer of Lü, and the thought of death, how they project beyond the actualized rigid and metric forms toward a more intensive, plastic, and joyful existence.

Kinetic Analysis of Swimming Flip-Turn Push-Off Techniques.

The aims of the present study were to examine the influences of different push-off techniques on kinetic and kinematic parameters both in and out of the water. The two techniques were: (1) a push off that was characterized by rapid extension of knees and hips towards the wall, prior to contact (i.e., no countermovement), and, (2) where the swimmer glides into the wall, letting the wall flex the knees in an approximate countermovement or eccentric phase. Twenty trained male and female freestyle swimmers (age 26.1 ± 9.9 years, height 1.61 ± 0.04 m, and weight 65.6 ± 19.3 kg) participated. Data were analyzed by employing two (i.e., land and water) 3 (variables of interest) x 2 (push-off type) repeated measures ANOVAs with the alpha level set a priori at 05. Results indicated that there were significant main effects for peak perpendicular force (p < 0.001), perpendicular impulse (p = 0.018), and velocity at 2.5 m (p = 0.005) on land. However, no significant effects were found between techniques in the water trials. As many of the participants were master swimmers, it is possible that they were unable to approach the wall in the water at the requisite speed to elicit a benefit from the countermovement.

Effects of age and gender in physiological responses, mechanics and performance of master swimmers

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to analyse the effects of age and gender in physiological responses, mechanics (stroke frequency, stroke length, stroke index), and performance time of master swimmers.MethodsOverall, 34 male and 25 female master swimmers were divided into 2 age categories: (a) 30–39 years, (b) 40–49 years, and completed a 100-m freestyle swimming test with maximum intensity. Stroke mechanics and performance time were measured during the effort. Blood lactate concentration was determined after the test in the 3&lt;sup&gt;rd&lt;/sup&gt;, 5&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt;, and 10th minutes of passive recovery.ResultsTwo-way ANOVA showed no interaction between gender and age category for any examined variable (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &gt; 0.05). Maximum blood lactate was maintained in both genders despite ageing (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &gt; 0.05) and was lower for females compared with males (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.001). Higher values were observed for stroke frequency, stroke length, and stroke index for males (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05). For both genders, the 30–39 years category had significantly higher values for stroke length (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.020) and lower for stroke frequency (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.014), indicating that these swimmers can produce stronger strokes than those in the 40–49 years category. Performance time values were significantly lower for males compared with females (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.001), but did not change with ageing (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &gt; 0.05).ConclusionsDespite ageing, swimmers are able to maintain all examined variables through a structured swimming training but with a possible decrease in stroke mechanics, independent of gender. Better values were observed for males compared with females probably owing to a greater muscle mass in the former.

Role of Cross-training in Orthopaedic Injuries and Healthcare Burden in Masters Swimmers.

We determined whether the incidence of injuries would increase with advancing age and whether the participation in cross-training would be related to a decreased rate of injuries and healthcare costs in Masters swimmers. A total of 499 swimmers (55±14 years of age) belonging to US Masters Swimming completed a comprehensive questionnaire that included questions regarding their medical history as well as their training history. In average, swimmers had been training for 13±12 years, and 35, 40, and 47% participated in running, cycling, and dryland resistance training, respectively. According to the logistic regression, prevalence of injuries increased significantly but modestly with advancing age (p<0.05). Linear regression analysis showed that for every 1 month increase in the length of injury, healthcare costs increased by 7.4% (p<0.05). Linear regression and logistic regression analyses determined that overall volume of swimming training was not related to age or incidence of injuries, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression analyses using age and sex as predictors demonstrated that the odds of reporting a swim-related injury were significantly lower for individuals who participated in any number of cross-training activities compared with those who do not cross-train (p<0.05). Regular participation in any cross-training modality was inversely related to age (p<0.05). We concluded that the diversification of the overall training program by incorporating cross-training may be an important strategy to reduce sport-specific injuries among Masters athletes.

Pathways from youth to masters swimming: Exploring long-term influences of youth swimming experiences

ObjectivesSome swimmers, “continuers,” transition directly from youth swimming into masters swimming. Others, “rekindlers,” take time off before returning to swimming as masters athletes. The purpose of this study was to explore how youth swimming experiences shape subsequent participation in masters swimming. DesignThis research was guided by a qualitative description method, as described by Sandelowski (2000). MethodTwenty masters swimmers (10 men and 10 women, M age = 40.5 years) were purposefully selected for semi-structured retrospective interviews regarding their youth swimming experiences and transitions into masters swimming. Eight were continuers, and 12 were rekindlers. Data were submitted to qualitative content analysis. ResultsAnalyses revealed disruptive, attractive, and enabling forces stemming from youth swimming. For rekindlers, high training volume in youth swimming led to negative physical and emotional consequences and scheduling conflicts between swimming and other activities. When they felt their performance was no longer improving, these costs led them to drop out of youth swimming. In contrast, the continuers’ focus on enjoyment, social aspects, and other non-performance-related reasons for swimming led to a smooth transition from youth swimming into masters swimming. As adults, rekindlers had confidence in their swimming abilities because of their youth training, but they required a shift away from performance-related motives in order to return to swimming. ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate the varied and long-lasting influences of youth sport experiences on adult sport participation. They also point to some specific theoretical and practical implications for researchers, coaches, parents, and club administrators.

Are 80-Year-Old Swimmers Faster than 25-Year-Old Master Swimmers?

Competitive sport is one of the stimulants in making people practice exercise on the regular basis. Many of the handicap systems have been tried in different sports to match younger or older competitors to the young male adults, and it seems that the result indexing system according to age, which is in operation in track-and-field at the moment, is functional enough to help motivating veteran athletes to continue to participate in sports actively. The question raised by the authors of the present study was: “How can we create and implement coefficients and equations, which may be used to compare the results achieved by the master swimmers of different age groups?”. The aim of this study was to compile a point score system for the masters’ swimming results. Objectives: 1) to determine the changes in master swimmers’ (men and women) race times depending on age; 2) to calculate the coefficients for the conversion of the master swimmers’ (men and women) race time; 3) to offer the system of recalculation of converted master swimmers’ results in time into points, and to test the new ranking system in a Master swim meet. The data were taken from World Top-10 Masters Swimming Tabulation. Both male and female athletes were divided into 5-year age groups, starting from 25 years and going up to 94 years of age. We analysed the results (times) of the 1992—2005 year period in a cross-sectional study design. We calculated the differences in percentages of the averages of the results in different age group in comparison to the results achieved by the participants of the 25—29 year age group. Then we calculated the age coefficients, which could be used in indexing the competitive results, and finally we applied the International Swimming Federation (FINA) tables for point score to rank the master swimmers in actual competition. The research findings suggested that: 1. Among the women swimmers, a quicker deterioration of the results starts above the age of 75 years and older, and this decline is most obvious in breaststroke, butterfly, and individual medley, while it is less pronounced in long freestyle events. 2. For males, swimming performance also abruptly decreases after the age of 75 years. Differently from women, males degrade their freestyle sprinting abilities less than the results in long-distance freestyle swimming. The results in butterfly deteriorate the most in both genders, with the greatest decline seen again after the age of 75 years. 3. Here we have introduced a system for the recalculation of master swimmers’ results by using the age coefficients, with a subsequent conversion of the result into point score. The system can be successfully applied in determining the master swimmers’ rank among swimmers of different age groups.Keywords: results of master athletes, result indexing, swimming styles.

A18028 GOLD-X Case Report

Objectives: GOLD-X is Geriatric Optimal Lifestyle Development on eXercise, a pilot program designated on sports medicine perspective to control predisposition factor on elderly. Improving physical capacities on athlete are important but it is more important to control life-threatening risk factor, such as hypertension. Through the precise lifestyle development, both targets are reached. Methods: 8-weeks sports medicine monitoring program was conducted on Female Indonesian Elite Master Swimmer. It applied on medical, physical activity and also exercises prescription to control the risk factors for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity, dyslipidemia, risk of fall, poor fitness level. Health fitness parameters (BMI, Handgrip test, plank test, scratch test and 6-Minutes Walking Test) are examined at the beginning and end of exercise period to measure physical capacities. Results: Patient optimized the exercise program during 2 months periodization. The exercise intensity was moderate. Blood pressure and heart rate was controlled in every supervised exercise (mean 134/74 mmHg (SD ± 7,43/ ± 4.84) and 60 bpm (SD ± 4.76)). BMI was decreased from 32.3 kg/m2 to 30.9 kg/m2. Handgrip strength improved 3 kg for right-side,0.5 kg for left-side. Muscle endurance improved from 92 sec to 147 sec on plank test. Flexibility become more equals for both side. Cardiorespiratory endurance improved, based on distance reached in 6-MWT, from 548, 1 meters to 620 meters. No subjective-objective clinical symptoms, led to cardiovascular and complication of hypertension events, were found. In additional, patient got her personal best time and received 4 gold medals in various categories. Conclusion: All physical capacities improved clinically within 2 months sports medicine intervention. Thus improvementon patient's sports performance with no life-threatening event was found.

Relationship between ultrasound and manual evaluation findings and muscle strength of Masters swimmers’ shoulder

Introduction: Swimming is a popular sport in Japan, and many Masters swimmers compete. However, shoulder injuries commonly occur during swimming. In our previous study, approximately 25% of Masters swimmers experienced shoulder injuries due to swimming. Recently, efforts have been made using ultrasound image evaluation to prevent shoulder injuries. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between abnormal findings around the shoulder revealed by ultrasound and orthopedic manual evaluation, and muscular strength.