A multi-parameter evaluation of Paralympic swimmers in the training cycle before 2016 Paralympic Games

Abstract

Purpose. Paralympic athletes need physical, technical, and psychological training. The study aim was to monitor and compare multi-parameter variables during Paralympic swimmers' training cycle before rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Methods. Internal training load, motivation levels, mood states, stress, and recovery were measured at 3 testing times (T1, T2, T3) in 11 Paralympic swimmers. Friedman and Wilcoxon post-hoc tests served to verify differences (p 0.05). Results. No significant differences occurred in motivation and mood states; however, the athletes' mood states followed the 'iceberg mood profile'. In sources and symptoms of stress, a difference existed in the number of 'worse than normal' responses (p = 0.03) in T1>T3 (p = 0.05) and T2>T3 (p = 0.05). Considering the training load, there was a difference in total internal training load (p = 0.02), with T1 showing greater values than T3 (p = 0.02) and T2>T3 (p = 0.02). The questionnaire to measure the recovery-stress status presented significant differences in conflicts/pressure subscales (p = 0.01) in T1>T2 (p = 0.03) and T1>T3 (p < 0.01), and in fatigue (p < 0.01) in T1>T2 (p = 0.05) and T1>T3 (p = 0.01). Conclusions. Internal training load decreased from T1 to T3; lowest stress symptoms were observed in T3 with the lowest internal load, and scales of conflicts/pressure and fatigue were highest in T1. Monitoring multi-parameter data in the training cycle may explain the psychobiological aspects of Paralympic swimmers and provide important information for coaches and athletes to meet the specific demands of impaired athletes.