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Short-Term Detraining Alters Body Composition and Lipid Profile but Not Performance in Recreational University
Foteini Dantsi1, Antigoni Kypraiou1, Nikolaos Kouvelas1
1School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Sports (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Four weeks of detraining in recreational swimmers increased body fat and cholesterol but did not significantly impact sprint performance or key metabolic markers. Anthropometric and body composition changes were more sensitive to short-term training cessation.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Swimming Performance
Background:
- Detraining research predominantly focuses on elite athletes.
- Recreational university swimmers experience frequent training interruptions.
- Understanding detraining effects in this population is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of a 4-week detraining period on recreational university swimmers.
- To analyze changes in anthropometric, body composition, biochemical, kinematic, and performance variables.
- To identify variables most affected by short-term detraining in this group.
Main Methods:
- Sixteen recreational university swimmers participated.
- Measurements were taken before and after a 4-week detraining period.
- Assessed variables included anthropometry, body composition, biochemistry, kinematics, and 50m swim performance.
Main Results:
- Significant increases observed in waist circumference, hip circumference, fat mass, and total cholesterol.
- No statistically significant changes were found in fasting glucose, triglycerides, post-exercise lactate, 50m performance, or kinematic variables.
- Anthropometric, body composition, and metabolic markers showed higher sensitivity to detraining than sprint performance.
Conclusions:
- Short-term detraining in recreational swimmers primarily affects anthropometric, body composition, and certain metabolic variables.
- Sprint performance and kinematic variables remained largely unchanged after 4 weeks of detraining.
- These findings suggest that recreational swimmers may maintain sprint capacity despite short detraining periods, but caution is advised when interpreting performance data.
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