Effects of Dry-Land Training Programs on Swimming Turn Performance: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Dry-land training is a common method used by swimming coaches to enhance overall swimming performance.
• Specific components of swimming performance, such as starts, swimming technique, turns, and finishes, can be targeted by dry-land conditioning.
• The effectiveness of various dry-land training modalities on specific swimming skills requires systematic evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the existing literature on the effects of dry-land strength and conditioning programs on swimming turn performance.
• To identify which types of dry-land training are most effective for improving swimming turns.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review was conducted by searching four online databases.
• Data extraction followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
• The PEDro scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies.

Main Results:

• Six studies were included in the review out of 19 full-text evaluated articles, which were selected from an initial pool of 1259.
• Plyometric, strength, and ballistic training programs, particularly those emphasizing neural enhancement, appear effective for improving swimming turn performance.
• The impact of core training on swimming turns was not conclusively determined by the reviewed studies.

Conclusions:

• Coaches should integrate dry-land exercises that enhance the neuromuscular factor of leg-extensor muscles into training regimens.
• Strength, ballistic, and plyometric training focused on neural adaptations show promise for improving swimming turns.
• Further research is necessary to elucidate the specific effects of different training methods and organizational strategies on swimming turn performance.