Effect of reduced training on muscular strength and endurance in competitive swimmers

NEUFER, P. D., D. L. COSTILL, R. A. FIELDING, M. G. FLYNN, and J. P. KIRWAN. Effect of reduced training on muscular strength and endurance in competitive swimmers. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc, Vol. 19, No. 5, pp. 486–490,1987. Following 5 months of competitive training (∼9,000 yards · d-1, 6 d · wk-1), three groups of eight male swimmers performed 4 wk of either reduced training (3,000 yard · session-1) or inactivity. Two groups reduced their training to either 3 sessions · wk-1 (RT3) or 1 session · wk-1 (RT1), whereas the third group (IA) did no training. Measurement of muscular strength (biokinetic swim bench) showed no decrement in any group over the 4 wk. In contrast, swim power (tethered swim) was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in all groups, reaching a mean change of-13.6% by week 4. Blood lactate measured after a standard 200-yard (183 m) front crawl swim increased by 1.8, 3.5, and 5.5 mM over the 4 wk in groups RT3, RT1 and IA, respectively. In group RT1, stroke rate measured during the 200-yard swim significantly increased (P < 0.05) from 0.54 ± 0.03 to 0.59 ± 0.03 strokes. · while stroke distance significantly decreased (P · 0.05) from 2.50 ± 0.08 to 2.29 ± 0.13 m · stroke-1 during the 4-wk period. Both stroke rate and stroke distance were maintained in group RT3 over the 4 wk of reduced training. Group IA was not tested for stroke mechanics. Whereas maximal oxygen uptake decreased significantly ((P < 0.05) over the 4 wk in group RT1 (4.75 to 4.62 1 · min-1), no change in maximal oxygen uptake was observed in group RT3. These results suggest that aerobic capacity is maintained over 4 wk of moderately reduced training (3 sessions · wk-1) in well-trained swimmers. Muscular strength was not diminished over 4 wk of reduced training or inactivity, but the ability to generate power during swimming was significantly reduced in all groups.