Assisted and resisted sprint training in swimming

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Optimizing swimming performance requires enhancing both strength and technique.
• Traditional training methods may not fully exploit physiological adaptations for peak performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of resisted-sprint in overstrength (OSt) and assisted-sprint in overspeed (OSp) training on 100-m front crawl performance.
• To evaluate the impact of these training methods on swimming velocity, stroke parameters, and muscle strength.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-seven competitive swimmers were divided into OSt, OSp, and control groups.
• Training interventions involved 3 weekly sessions using elastic tubes for 3 weeks.
• Performance, elbow flexor/extensor strength, stroke rate, and stroke length were assessed before, during, and after training.

Main Results:

• The OSt group showed significant increases in elbow extensor strength, swimming velocity, and stroke rate.
• The OSp group exhibited increased stroke rate but decreased stroke length, with no change in swimming velocity.
• The control group demonstrated no significant variations in performance metrics.

Conclusions:

• Both OSt and OSp training methods are more effective than traditional programs for improving swimming performance.
• OSt training demonstrated a greater positive impact on muscle strength, swimming velocity, and stroke technique compared to OSp training.