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Optimizing performance and mood state in competitive swimmers through tapering strategies
Hajer Aouani1, Sofiene Amara2,3, Haithem Rebai1
1Research Laboratory Sports Performance Optimization (LR09SEP01), National Center of Medicine and Science in Sports (CNMSS), Tunis, Tunisia.
Frontiers in Psychology
|February 7, 2024
Summary
Two weeks of reduced training volume, known as tapering, significantly improved competitive swimmers' mood and boosted their 50-m front crawl performance. This training strategy helps mitigate overtraining effects and enhance sprint capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Swimming Performance
Background:
- Tapering is crucial for optimizing athletic performance by influencing psychological and physical states.
- Understanding the impact of tapering on mood and performance is vital for competitive swimmers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a two-week tapering period with progressive training volume reduction on mood state and swimming performance.
- To assess the correlation between mood changes and performance improvements in competitive swimmers.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-four competitive male swimmers were divided into experimental and control groups.
- The experimental group underwent a two-week tapering program involving reduced training volume.
- Mood states (subscales and total mood disturbance) and 50-m front crawl performance were measured pre- and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in mood subscales (20.8–47.8%), total mood disturbance (14.4%), and 50-m front crawl performance (3.5%) in the experimental group.
- A significant negative correlation (r = -0.63) was found between total mood disturbance and 50-m front crawl performance in the experimental group.
- The tapering intervention led to enhanced psychological well-being and faster sprint times.
Conclusions:
- A progressive reduction in training volume while maintaining intensity during tapering can enhance mood state and swimming performance.
- Changes in total mood disturbance are linked to improvements in swimming performance.
- Coaches should implement structured tapering periods to improve swimmers' mental state, combat overtraining, and boost sprint performance.
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