Swimming Performance
Conditions
Keywords
Practical blood flow restriction (pBFR), swimming performance, master swimmers
Brief summary
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of practical blood flow restriction (pBFR) applied during swimming training on sprint and endurance performance in master swimmers. Fifty-four male master swimmers (36-51 years) were randomly assigned to either a pBFR group (n = 27) or a control group (n = 27). Both groups followed the same swimming training programme twice weekly for eight weeks. In the pBFR group, elastic bands were applied to the proximal region of both thighs at a perceived tightness level of 7/10 during approximately 20 min of low-intensity swimming performed at the beginning of each training session. Performance was assessed using a 50-m freestyle kick test, a 100-m freestyle swimming test, and a 12-min Cooper swimming test.
Detailed description
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of practical blood flow restriction (pBFR) applied during swimming training on sprint and endurance performance in master swimmers. Fifty-four male master swimmers (36-51 years) were randomly assigned to either a pBFR group (n = 27) or a control group (n = 27). Both groups followed the same swimming training programme twice weekly for eight weeks. In the pBFR group, elastic bands were applied to the proximal region of both thighs at a perceived tightness level of 7/10 during approximately 20 min of low-intensity swimming performed at the beginning of each training session. Performance was assessed using a 50-m freestyle kick test, a 100-m freestyle swimming test, and a 12-min Cooper swimming test.
Interventions
DEVICEPractical Blood Flow Restriction Bands
Practical blood flow restriction was applied during swimming training using elastic bands on the proximal thighs.
Participants in the control group performed standard swimming training without blood flow restriction.
Sponsors
Istanbul Gelisim University
Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
36 Years to 51 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* \* Voluntary participation with signed written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* \* History of hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease * History of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism * Neurological disorders or rheumatic diseases * Obesity or any other chronic condition * Sports-related injury within the previous 6 months
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cooper 12-Minute Swimming Test | Pre-intervention and post-intervention at 8 weeks | Cooper 12-Minute Swimming Test Swimmers were asked to swim continuously in freestyle for 12 minutes, covering the maximum possible distance. The test began with a push-off from the pool wall, and turns were performed using the appropriate technique. Participants were informed to stop immediately if they would experience symptoms such as shortness of breath or inability to continue swimming. The total distance covered in 12 minutes was recorded in meters. |
| Short-distance kicking performance test | Baseline and 8 weeks | Swimmers completed the test distance using only leg kicks while holding a kickboard, without performing arm strokes. This sprint test was designed to assess the propulsive force generated by the lower limbs. The test started with a push-off from the pool wall, and turns were executed by pushing off the wall. Time was recorded in seconds. |
| 100 m Freestyle Swimming Test | Baseline and 8 weeks | The test began with a dive start and included turns performed according to FINA rules. Swimming time was recorded using three independent stopwatches, and the mean value of the three measurements was used for statistical analysis. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed