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

Abstract

The last decade has seen a dramatic rise in sports science research due to the ever-increasing professionalization of sport. As a result, many alternative training methodologies that challenge traditional training philosophies have emerged. In the sport of swimming, ultra-short race-pace training (USRPT) was recently proposed. The aim of this article was to provide current perspectives on USRPT in competitive swimming. A systematic review was conducted to determine the effects of USRPT on performance in competitive swimmers. Of the 1347 studies retrieved, 1332 were excluded. The full-texts of 15 studies were assessed for eligibility. However, all 15 studies were excluded as the intervention did not consist of USRPT. Consequently, there are concerns surrounding USRPT as it is not currently based on peer-reviewed published literature. In addition, the recommendations within USRPT to avoid resistance training, cross-training activities, training intensities less than race-pace velocity and part practice swimming drills are highly controversial and lack scientific evidence. There is evidence to suggest that USRPT is a derivative of high-intensity training (HIT) and there is peer-reviewed published literature available to support the effects of HIT on performance in competitive swimmers. Swimming coaches and sports scientists are advised to consider the applications of USRPT with caution. The authors suggest that USRPT is a training method, which may be incorporated within a holistic periodized training program that includes a variety of training methods and stimuli. Future research should involve a randomized controlled intervention of USRPT in competitive swimmers.

Effects of Different Types of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Endurance and Strength Parameters in Children and Adolescents

“…Other authors recommend shorter intervals between 15 and 30 s [ 30 , 31 ]. Only recently, anecdotal reports on the efficiency of ultrashort and highly intensive intervals used in professional swimming evoked controversial debates on the topic of interval duration [ 32 ]. Peer-reviewed published literature on ultrashort training loads of 5–70 s is currently lacking, and only a few older studies addressed the topic.…”

“…Suggestions of between 4 and 47 repetitions can be found in the sports training literature [ 24 ]. The current literature on ultrashort intervals suggests 20–50 intervals [ 32 ].…”

Lower fatigue and faster recovery of ultra-short race pace swimming training sessions

“…This is reflected in the typical preparation of elite middle-distance swimmers (200-400m) who often follow the model of high-volume, low-intensity training (55-70% below [La -] 2 mM/L, and 30-45% between [La -] 2 and 4 mM/L) aiming to develop a high aerobic capacity (maximal oxygen uptake -VO2max) and the ability to maintain it for longer periods [5,6]. However, since the energy required to swim at a certain speed is derived from that specific speed [7,8], a training stimulus should also include exercises at race-specific velocity with the aim to stimulate different energetic pathways and aerobic power [9], including intensities above [La -] ~4 mM/L and ~75-80% of VO2max capable to stimulate the glycolytic system [2,[10][11][12].…”

“…One appealing option to increase race-specific velocity training while obtaining the endurance performance gains, is the polarized training model [14], which is characterized by training most of the time (75-80%) at low intensities (< 2 mM/L [La -]), and the remaining time (25-20%) at high-intensities (> 4 mM/L [La -]), with very little or no training (0-5%) in between (2 mM/L ≥ [La -] ≤ 4 mM/L) [5]. For this purpose, coaches often include a derivative of high-intensity training (HIT) known as Ultra-short race-pace training (USRPT) [9]. With this procedure, the aerobic and glycolytic systems are stressed through brief bursts of vigorous activity (e.g., 20 to swimming intervals completed over short distances to 100-m), interspersed with work-recovery ratios of 1:1, 1:2 or 2:1, according to the individual best competitive performance (i.e.…”

“…In this regard, it has been suggested that athletes should be tested in well-known tests when evaluating fatigue [22]. Thus, considering that race-specific technique instruction is the most important component of USRPT [9], and that the swimming biomechanics are the strongest determinants of swimming performance [8], the analysis of swimming patterns such as arm-stroke count could give us an accurate measure of the occurrence of fatigue during race-pace training [23]. Furthermore, given that muscle power would be affected by the specific fatigue of USRPT, examination of performance in subsequent dry-land exercises would provide information on how fatigue developed to better monitor muscle power.…”