Performance and physiological responses to a 5-week synchronized swimming technical training programme in humans

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Physiology
• Synchronized Swimming Training

Background:

• Synchronized swimming team routines (TR) involve complex figures requiring technical skill.
• A 5-week technical training programme (TTP) was implemented to improve TR execution.
• Limited research exists on the physiological impact of TTP in synchronized swimmers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the physiological responses to a 5-week TTP in trained synchronized swimmers.
• To assess changes in technique scores, swimming performance, and physiological markers post-TTP.
• To explore the relationship between technical improvement and physiological changes.

Main Methods:

• 13 trained synchronized swimmers (mean age 14 years) were tested before and after a 5-week TTP.
• Technique scores for a TR (5 min duration, 45% underwater) were evaluated.
• Physiological measures included peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), blood lactate, and heart rate during a 400-m swim.
• Overall synchronized swimming skill was assessed via competition scores.

Main Results:

• Technique scores significantly improved post-TTP (4.5 to 5.8, P < 0.01).
• Swimming performance, VO2peak, blood lactate, and heart rate during a 400-m swim decreased after TTP.
• Improvement in technique scores showed a negative correlation with the change in VO2peak (r = -0.57, P < 0.05).
• TTP enhanced technical performance but not physiological, swimming, or apnoea performances.

Conclusions:

• The 5-week TTP effectively improved synchronized swimming technical execution.
• Physiological and swimming performances did not improve and, in some cases, decreased post-TTP.
• Individual physiological profiles are linked to overall synchronized swimming skill, suggesting a need for balanced training.