Power Training Exercise Protocols, Strength Training Effects, Swimming
Conditions
Keywords
Non-randomised controlled trial, Youth swimmers, Strength and conditioning, Race performance
Brief summary
Starts and turns play an important role in swimming performance, with starts accounting for around a quarter of the total time achieved in a 50m freestyle race and have been recommended as a high priority area for improvement by York City Baths Club (YCBC). The relationship between starts and turns and plyometric and general strength training is well documented. However, few studies have explored this relationship in competitive youth swimmers. This non-randomised controlled trial will evaluate the effects of a dry-land strength and conditioning programme, when added to usual swim training, on the physical fitness and start and turn performance of regional- and national-level age-group swimmers. The study intervention will involve two supervised gym sessions per week for 10 weeks. Study outcomes will be assessed before the intervention, at the midpoint and at 1 week and 3 weeks post-intervention. The following testing will occur: Pool-based testing (50m Freestyle; a Time to 7.5m test; Turn time); Gym-based testing (Counter-movement jump; Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull; Athletic Shoulder (ASH)) The dive and turn measures will be assessed via video recordings.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALDry-land strength and conditioning programme
Participants in the experiment group will be asked to complete two supervised gym sessions per week for 10 weeks. Each session will include a variety of plyometric and strength exercises, selected for their relevance to start and turn performance in swimming.
BEHAVIORALActive control condition
The control group will complete their usual swimming training which comprises of several pool-based session and one land-based session each week.
Sponsors
York City Baths Club
York St John University
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Non-randomised controlled trial
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
12 Years to 21 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Member of York City Baths Club's National, Regional or Club Squads * Age 12 to 21 years old
Exclusion criteria
* Parent/guardian and/or swimmer unwilling to provide written, informed consent * Current time-loss injury * Unable to complete 2 interventions sessions per week for 10 weeks (intervention group only)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Swim start performance | From enrolment to 3 weeks after the end of the intervention | Time to 7.5m from a race start |
| Swim turn performance | From enrolment to 3 weeks after the end of the intervention | 5m turn around time during maximal effort front-crawl swimming with tumble-turn |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Swim race performance | From enrolment to 3 weeks after the end of the intervention | Time to complete a maximal 50m front-crawl race |
| Countermovement jump performance | From enrolment to 3 weeks after the end of the intervention | Maximum height achieved on the countermovement jump test |
| Lower-body strength | From enrolment to 3 weeks after the end of the intervention | Peak force achieved on an isometric mid-thigh pull test |
| Shoulder strength | From enrolment to 3 weeks after the end of the intervention | Peak force achieved in the Athletic Shoulder Test with the arm tested in the 90- and 135-degree positions |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed