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Related Experiment Video

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A Rapidly Incremented Tethered-Swimming Maximal Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Assessment of Swimmers

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Published on: January 28, 2020

Maximal power and performance during a swim taper.

J D Trinity¹, M D Pahnke, J A Sterkel

¹Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA. joeltrinity@mail.utexas.edu

International Journal of Sports Medicine

|October 26, 2007

Summary

Increasing high-intensity training during a swim taper (High-Intensity Taper - HIT) maintained peak power and performance. Reducing high-intensity training (Low-Intensity Taper - LIT) worsened swim performance.

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Area of Science:

Sports Science
Exercise Physiology
Swimming Performance

Background:

Tapering is crucial for optimizing athletic performance.
The impact of training intensity during taper on physiological and performance metrics requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of altering training intensity during a taper on maximal mechanical power (Pmax), torque (T), velocity (V), and swim performance.
To compare a High-Intensity Taper (HIT) with a Low-Intensity Taper (LIT).

Main Methods:

Seven female collegiate swimmers underwent 7 weeks of testing using an arm ergometer with inertial loading.
Measurements of Pmax, T, and V were taken pre-taper and during two consecutive taper periods (HIT and LIT).
Swim performance was assessed at three competitive meets.

Main Results:

HIT resulted in 8-14% higher Pmax values compared to LIT.
Swim performance significantly worsened at the national championship meet following LIT.
HIT maintained swim performance, Pmax, and T prior to and at the national championship meet.

Conclusions:

A significant reduction in high-intensity training during taper diminishes the duration of peak Pmax, T, and swim performance.
Implementing a High-Intensity Taper strategy is effective in maintaining physiological and performance levels for competitive swimmers.