Elite Swimmers’ Training Patterns in the 25 Weeks Prior to Their Season’s Best Performances: Insights Into Periodization From a 20-Years Cohort

Abstract

Background This study investigated the periodization of elite swimmers’ training over the 25 weeks preceding the major competition of the season. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study of elite male ( n = 60) and female ( n = 67) swimmers (46 sprint, 81 middle-distance) over 20 competitive seasons (1992–2012). The following variables were monitored: training corresponding to blood lactate <2 mmol⋅L -1 , 2 to ≤4 mmol⋅L -1 , >4–6 mmol⋅L -1 , >6 mmol⋅L -1 , and maximal swimming speed; general conditioning and maximal strength training hours; total training load (TTL); and the mean normalized volumes for both in-water and dryland workouts. Latent class mixed modeling was used to identify various TTL pattern groups. The associations between pattern groups and sex, age, competition event, Olympic quadrennial year, training contents, and relative performance were quantified. Results For the entire cohort, ∼86–90% of the training was swum at an intensity of [La] b ≤ 4 mmol⋅L -1 . This training volume was divided into 40–44% at <2 mmol⋅L -1 and 44–46% at 2 to ≤4 mmol⋅L -1 , leaving 6–9.5% at >4–6 mmol⋅L -1 , and 3.5–4.5% at >6 mmol⋅L -1 . Three sprint TTL patterns were identified: a pattern with two long ∼14–15-week macrocycles, one with two ∼12–13 week macrocycles each composed of a balanced training load, and one with a single stable flat macrocycle. The long pattern elicited the fastest performances and was most prevalent in Olympic quadrennials (i.e., 4 seasons preceding the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympic Games). This pattern exhibited moderate week-to-week TTL variability (6 ± 3%), progressive training load increases between macrocycles, and more training at ≤4 mmol⋅L -1 and >6 mmol⋅L -1 . This fastest sprint pattern showed a waveform in the second macrocycle consisting of two progressive load peaks 10–11 and 4–6 weeks before competition. The stable flat pattern was the slowest and showed low TTL variability (4 ± 3%), training load decreases between macrocycles ( P < 0.01), and more training at 4–6 mmol⋅L -1 ( P < 0.01). Conclusion Progressive increases in training load, macrocycles lasting about 14–15 weeks, and substantial volume of training at intensities ≤4 mmol⋅L -1 and >6 mmol⋅L -1 , were associated with peak performance in elite swimmers.

<p>Ultra-Short Race-Pace Training (USRPT) In Swimming: Current Perspectives</p>

“…There is evidence to suggest that USRPT is a derivative of HIT, 69,82 and there is peer-reviewed published literature to support the benefits of HIT in competitive swimmers. 22,27,73,[90][91][92][93][94] However, national and international level swimmers competing in sprint to distance events have been found to perform around 6-16% of their training as HIT 30,71 which is similar to the training patterns of other cyclical sports. 25,69,70 The remainder of their training comprises a variety of stimuli: LIT, MIT, RT and cross-training activities, of which there is a large amount of published literature to support.…”

“…25,69,70 The remainder of their training comprises a variety of stimuli: LIT, MIT, RT and cross-training activities, of which there is a large amount of published literature to support. 3,4,21,25,30,60,[69][70][71][73][74][75][76]78 In youth swimmers, the recommendations by Rushall 14 to perform 3-7 sessions of USRPT per week for 8-12 years old and 8-9 sessions per week for ≥14 years old may be harmful to this cohort. USRPT and HIT are highly stressful training stimuli (e.g.…”

“…25,69,70 National and international level swimmers competing in sprint to distance events have been found to perform 86-90% of their training as LIT and MIT. 30,71 The training adaptations that occur at intensities less than racepace velocity (LIT and MIT) are multifactorial in nature and result in profound changes to physiological and neuromuscular systems within the body. 3 A review by Laursen and Jenkins 72 suggests that the physiological adaptions that occur include increased blood/plasma volume, increased cardiac output, changes in muscle capillary density and mitochondrial volume.…”

“…12 A recently published randomized controlled study by Nugent et al 22 intensities less than race-pace velocity (LIT and MIT) should remain a priority where possible, particularly for youth swimmers. 3,21,25,30,[69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78] USRPT And Skill Acquisition Swimming skills are both highly complex (i.e. there are a large number of active body parts) and highly organized (i.e.…”

“…[27][28][29] In elite swimmers, training volumes may range up to 110 km or 29 hrs per week. 28 A large amount of evidence, both in the published literature 30,31 and in the applied setting, [32][33][34] suggest that a HVT program is a highly successful training methodology for competitive swimmers. However, recent reports suggest that one highly successful elite swimmer, who is widely known to perform a USRPT program, has a training volume of 9-11 km per week.…”