A new training device derived from the MAD-system (system to measure active drag, Hollander et al. (8], providing fixed push off points in the water for swimming, the front crawl is described. The effects of training on this device (called POP from fixed Push Off Point) are determined by comparing the increase in performance of a training group (n = 11) to a control group (n = 11). The control group continued the normal training program. During ten weeks the training group followed the same program, but three times per week sprints performed on the POP were substituted for normal free swimming sprints. Despite the fact that training time and volume were equal, the training group showed a significantly greater improvement in force (from 91 to 94 N, 3.3%), velocity (from 1.75 to 1.81 m.s-1, 3.4%) and power (from 160 to 172 W, 7%) as measured on the MAD-system, and an increase in distance per stroke in free swimming. The training group showed a significant improvement in race times for 50 m (from 27.2 to 26.6 s), 100 m (from 59.3 to 57.4 s) and 200 m (from 129.6 to 127.3 s). It is concluded that the POP is a specific training device especially suitable for increasing maximal power output during swimming.
A detailed description of a respiratory valve to measure oxygen uptake while swimming is given. The effect on body drag of the addition of this equipment was measured in four subjects swimming over a range of speeds (0.9-1.9 m s-1). The respiratory valve has a low airflow resistance (29 Pa at an airflow of 8 l X s-1) and a small deadspace (30 ml). Total body drag when swimming while wearing the respiratory equipment did not differ significantly from that when swimming without the equipment. It is concluded that this respiratory valve is ideal for making valid and reliable measurements of oxygen uptake during swimming.
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