Training programs for swimmers are usually characterized by high-volume sessions, approximately 20–30 h/wk depending on the period of the season and the level of performance, mainly performed at low intensity (Sharp, 2000). The benefits of low-volume high-intensity training on performance and physiological variables have been reported in several athletes (Laursen et al, 2002). As for swimmers, a consistent reduction of training volume (from 8970 to 4266 m per day) or an increase of training load (from 5000 to 9300 m per day), seems not influence performance, endurance, sprinting ability, or glycolytic enzyme activities (Costill 1988 e 1991). Moreover, Faude et al. (2008) and Soultanakis et al. (2012) have found similar muscular adaptations after 4 weeks of either high-volume (with higher contribution of low-intensity) or low-volume (with higher contribution of high-intensity) training program in highly trained and untrained swimmers respectively. The aim of the present study is to evaluate in highly trained master swimmers whether a 6-weeks of low-volume high-intensity training is able to increase or at least to maintain the effects on performance and physiological of an individualized high-volume low-intensity training. Twelve male master swimmers (32 ± 5 yrs) performed two different 6-week training periods separated by 3 weeks of tapering. The first 6 weeks of training (HvLi) were characterized by high volume and low intensity sessions (swimming about 14 km/wk), whereas the other 6 weeks (LvHi) by low volume and high intensity sessions (swimming about 7 km/wk). All swimmers were tested before (PRE) and after each training period. In laboratory, they performed an incremental arm exercise test until exhaustion in order to obtain peak cardiovascular and metabolic values. In 25-m swimming pool, the best performance time was assessed in 100m, 400m and 2000m swims. A 7 x 200m protocol was also performed for individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) assessment. Hv-Li training improved maximal aerobic power, time performance on 2000m and 400m. Lv-Hi did not negative influenced the effects of Hv-Li on maximal aerobic power, 2000m and 400m. Additionally, Lv-Hi training also improved 100m time performance and velocity at individual anaerobic threshold. Despite a consistent reduction (about 50%) of training volume, high-intensity training preserves the aerobic swimming performance improvements of traditional high-volume training and it is more effective on short-distances performance time.
Effect of low-volume high-intensity training on performance in master swimmers / G. Bellistri, L. Pugliese, M. Bonato, A. La Torre, M.A. Maggioni, M. Massoni, M. Marzorati - In: Book of Abstracts of the 18th Annual Congress of the-European College of Sport Science / [a cura di] N. Balaguè, C. Torrents, A. Vilanova, J, Cadefau, R. Tarragò, E. Tsolakidis. - [s.l] : Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia, 2013 Jun. - ISBN 978-84-695-7786-8. - pp. 764-764 (( Intervento presentato al 18. convegno Annual Congress of the-European College of Sport Science tenutosi a Barcellona nel 2013.
Effect of low-volume high-intensity training on performance in master swimmers
G. Bellistri;L. Pugliese;M. Bonato;A. La Torre;M.A. Maggioni;
2013
Abstract
Training programs for swimmers are usually characterized by high-volume sessions, approximately 20–30 h/wk depending on the period of the season and the level of performance, mainly performed at low intensity (Sharp, 2000). The benefits of low-volume high-intensity training on performance and physiological variables have been reported in several athletes (Laursen et al, 2002). As for swimmers, a consistent reduction of training volume (from 8970 to 4266 m per day) or an increase of training load (from 5000 to 9300 m per day), seems not influence performance, endurance, sprinting ability, or glycolytic enzyme activities (Costill 1988 e 1991). Moreover, Faude et al. (2008) and Soultanakis et al. (2012) have found similar muscular adaptations after 4 weeks of either high-volume (with higher contribution of low-intensity) or low-volume (with higher contribution of high-intensity) training program in highly trained and untrained swimmers respectively. The aim of the present study is to evaluate in highly trained master swimmers whether a 6-weeks of low-volume high-intensity training is able to increase or at least to maintain the effects on performance and physiological of an individualized high-volume low-intensity training. Twelve male master swimmers (32 ± 5 yrs) performed two different 6-week training periods separated by 3 weeks of tapering. The first 6 weeks of training (HvLi) were characterized by high volume and low intensity sessions (swimming about 14 km/wk), whereas the other 6 weeks (LvHi) by low volume and high intensity sessions (swimming about 7 km/wk). All swimmers were tested before (PRE) and after each training period. In laboratory, they performed an incremental arm exercise test until exhaustion in order to obtain peak cardiovascular and metabolic values. In 25-m swimming pool, the best performance time was assessed in 100m, 400m and 2000m swims. A 7 x 200m protocol was also performed for individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) assessment. Hv-Li training improved maximal aerobic power, time performance on 2000m and 400m. Lv-Hi did not negative influenced the effects of Hv-Li on maximal aerobic power, 2000m and 400m. Additionally, Lv-Hi training also improved 100m time performance and velocity at individual anaerobic threshold. Despite a consistent reduction (about 50%) of training volume, high-intensity training preserves the aerobic swimming performance improvements of traditional high-volume training and it is more effective on short-distances performance time.
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