Energetic and Biomechanical Contributions for Longitudinal Performance in Master Swimmers

Marinho, Daniel A.; Ferreira, Maria Inês Paes; Barbosa, Tiago M.; Vilaça-Alves, José; Costa, Mário J.; Ferraz, Ricardo; Neiva, Henrique P.

doi:10.3390/jfmk5020037

Cited by 4 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Previous studies that focused on the training effect in master swimmers found improvements in energetic variables (e.g., oxygen uptake [ 30 ]), biomechanical indicators (e.g., stroke length and frequency, and propelling efficiency [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]), and race performance [ 30 , 31 ]. Past research also indicated that in this specific age group, performance throughout the season seems to be more dependent on technical factors [ 7 ], meaning that active drag reduction due to technical improvements would result in performance optimization. In fact, the observed performance enhancement identified in the present study was probably due to the active drag reduction, with swimmers reducing the power needed to propel through the water along the training mesocycle.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous findings in master swimmers suggested that eight training weeks improved stroke length, stroke index and stroke efficiency [ 7 ], which are efficiency indicators and can be used to evaluate swimming technical changes [ 5 , 10 ]. Moreover, it was identified that front crawl sprint performance (i.e., 15 m, 25 m, 50 m) is dependent on stroke index values in master swimmers of similar age (30–39 years old) to the ones in the current study [ 35 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Throughout the mesocycle, 89.5 ± 3.2% vs. 10.5 ± 3.2% of the total volume was performed at intensities corresponding to aerobic vs. anaerobic paces (4.7 vs. 0.6, 3.6 vs. 0.4, 3.0 vs. 0.5 and 5.0 vs. 0.4 km at weeks 1–4, respectively). The distinction between aerobic and anaerobic loads was carried out considering the specialized literature [ 6 , 7 , 21 ]. During the four-week training period, 8.6 ± 0.8% of the training tasks focused on swimming technique development (0.5, 0.3, 0.3 and 0.5 km at weeks 1–4, respectively).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a result, the number of master swimmers and their competitiveness level increased considerably in the last decade, with many participating in the last European and World Championships [ 3 , 4 ]. A better understanding of master swimming performance development along the training process is very important, but studies on the topic are rare [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Research has been mainly cross-sectional (making it difficult to extrapolate cause–effect relationships over time), and the traditionally conducted biomechanical analysis only focuses on the general kinematic variables (stroke frequency and length) and propelling efficiency [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A better understanding of master swimming performance development along the training process is very important, but studies on the topic are rare [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Research has been mainly cross-sectional (making it difficult to extrapolate cause–effect relationships over time), and the traditionally conducted biomechanical analysis only focuses on the general kinematic variables (stroke frequency and length) and propelling efficiency [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Data often confirm that master swimmers display worse technical proficiency than elite swimmers [ 6 , 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Neiva

Fernandes

Cardoso

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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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.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Neiva

Fernandes

Cardoso

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Effects of Training and Taper on Neuromuscular Fatigue Profile on 100-m Swimming Performance

et al. 2022

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This study aimed to investigate the effects of 6-week specific preparatory period and 2-week taper period on neuromuscular fatigue profile in 100-m front crawl swimming performance. Seventeen competitive-level young-adult swimmers performed a 100-m swimming performance at baseline and after 6-week specific preparatory followed by 2-week taper periods. Neuromuscular fatigue profile was assessed through percutaneous electrical stimuli on the femoral nerve during a maximal voluntary contraction performed before and immediately after each 100-m maximal effort. Performance improved (p = 0.001) 2.24 and 3.06 % after specific and taper, respectively. Potentiated peak force at post-effort condition decreased (p < 0.001) 16.26 % at baseline, 11.70 % at specific, and 12.86 % at taper period. Maximal voluntary contraction force also decreased (p < 0.001) at post-effort condition by about 6.77 and 9.33 % at baseline and specific period, respectively. Both variables did not present significant differences between times. No condition or time effects were observed to superimposed peak force and voluntary activation, both related to central fatigue. In conclusion, neuromuscular fatigue during 100-m swimming performance was exclusively developed by peripheral mechanisms regardless of the training period, and 2-week taper was able to prevent decreases in maximal voluntary contraction induced by 100-m maximal effort.

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The Effects of 12 Weeks In-Water Training in Stroke Kinematics, Dry-Land Power, and Swimming Sprints Performance in Master Swimmers

Espada¹,

Santos²,

Conceição³

et al. 2022

JOMH

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Background: Master swimming is becoming increasingly popular, but research related to the training process and its effect on this population is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks in-water training in stroke kinematics, dry-land power, and swimming sprints performance in master swimmers, and the relationships between these variables in this sports population. Methods: 15 healthy and physically active male master swimmers (age 32.3 ± 5.1 years, height 1.81 ± 0.04 m, body mass 77.0 ± 6.5 kg, training experience of 11 ± 4 years and average swimming training volume ~2.5 km/day, 3 times a week) participated in the study. Previously and after the intervention program, entirely water-based, swimmers were tested in a dry-land environment to assess their upper and lower body limbs (UL and LL) strength through power measurements, namely countermovement jumps (CMJ), seated 3 kg medicine ball throwing (MBT) and maximal isometric strength with handgrip (HG). In-water 50 m maximal front crawl swimming test was also completed. Swimming performance at 15, 25, and 50 m (T15, T25, and T50) was determined, and the associated stroke kinematics. During the intervention program period, swimming training comprised three sessions per week (7.5 ± 0.9 km per microcycle), with lowto high-intensity aerobic and anaerobic swimming series and technical drills. Results: T25 significantly decreased after 12 weeks of training (18.82 ± 2.92 vs. 18.60 ± 2.87 sec, p = 0.02), the same was observed in the case of T50 (40.36 ± 7.54 vs. 38.32 ± 6.41 sec, p = 0.00). Changes in stroke rate (SR), stroke length (SL) and stroke index (SI) in swimming performance at 15 m were not observed, contrarily to 25 and 50 m, where SL and SI significantly increased. MBT and HG improved, but not CMJ, and improvements in T15, T25 and T50 were mostly related to kinematic proficiency improvement. Conclusions: 12 weeks of in-water training in master swimmers significantly enhance performance time in 25 and 50 m front crawl swimming. SL and SI are also improved and are the variables that most influence T15, T25 and T50 when compared to SR and dry-land power variables. Centering the training process not only in in-water tasks in master swimmers seem to be of relevant interest since age influences stroke kinematic and power variables.

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Energetic and Biomechanical Contributions for Longitudinal Performance in Master Swimmers

Cited by 4 publications

References 29 publications

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

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

Effects of Training and Taper on Neuromuscular Fatigue Profile on 100-m Swimming Performance

The Effects of 12 Weeks In-Water Training in Stroke Kinematics, Dry-Land Power, and Swimming Sprints Performance in Master Swimmers

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