Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026
10:34
A Swimming-Induced Zebrafish Exercise Apparatus for Versatile Training Approaches
Published on: October 18, 2024
1.9K
Physiological Adaptations to Training in Competitive Swimming: A Systematic Review
Mário J Costa1, Govindasamy Balasekaran2, J Paulo Vilas-Boas3
1Sports Science Department, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda, Portugal; Research Centre in Sports, Health and Human Development, CIDESD, Portugal.
Journal of Human Kinetics
|February 4, 2016
Summary
This systematic review highlights that micro-level physiological measures in elite swimmers can detect overtraining, while macro-level improvements depend on training background. Diverse study designs contribute to mixed findings in swimming physiology research.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Swimming Performance
Background:
- Longitudinal studies are crucial for understanding physiological adaptations in elite athletes.
- Swimming physiology research often presents varied findings, necessitating a synthesis of existing data.
- Elite swimmers require specific physiological monitoring to optimize performance and prevent overtraining.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review longitudinal studies on swimming physiology.
- To identify implications for the daily practice of coaches and athletes.
- To synthesize current knowledge on physiological responses to swimming training.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
- Inclusion criteria focused on longitudinal studies with two testing points in adult elite swimmers.
- Methodological quality assessed by two independent reviewers using a standardized checklist.
Main Results:
- Thirty-four studies were analyzed across five categories: blood composition, endocrine secretion, muscle biochemistry, cardiovascular response, and energetic profile.
- High inter-reviewer agreement (K = 0.93) confirmed the reliability of the quality assessment.
- Micro-level physiological variables effectively indicate overtraining and health issues in swimmers.
Conclusions:
- Variability in experimental designs contributes to inconsistent findings in swimming physiology.
- Macro-level physiological improvements in swimmers are constrained by training history and experience.
- Micro-variable monitoring offers sensitive insights into overtraining syndrome and health status in elite swimmers.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Exercise and Muscle Performance
3.7K
Exercise induces a range of adaptations in muscle tissue, depending on the type and duration of activity. Such physical training can be broadly categorized into two types: endurance exercises and resistance exercises.
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
3.7K
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
2.5K
Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining cardiovascular health, with aerobic exercises being particularly effective. According to the American Heart Association, 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic exercise per week is recommended for a healthy heart. Aerobic activities may include brisk walking, running, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and swimming, ideally performed three to five times per week.
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
2.5K
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
5.0K
Exercise significantly impacts cardiovascular response, which is crucial for understanding patient health and designing effective treatment plans.
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
5.0K
01:57Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
28.7K
Though evaporation from plant leaves drives transpiration, it also results in loss of water. Because water is critical for photosynthetic reactions and other cellular processes, evolutionary pressures on plants in different environments have driven the acquisition of adaptations that reduce water loss.
28.7K