Influence of short‐term inertial training on swimming performance in young swimmers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of dry-land inertial training (IT) on muscle force, muscle power, and swimming performance. Fourteen young, national-level, competitive swimmers were randomly divided into IT and control (C) groups. The experiment lasted four weeks, during which time both groups underwent their regular swimming training. In addition, the IT group underwent IT using the Inertial Training Measurement System (ITMS) three times per week. The muscle groups involved during the upsweep phase of the arm stroke in front crawl and butterfly stroke were trained. Before and after training, muscle force and power were measured under IT conditions. Simultaneously with the biomechanical measurements on the ITMS, the electrical activity of the triceps brachii was registered. After four weeks of training, a 12.8% increase in the muscle force and 14.2% increase in the muscle power (p < .05) were noted in the IT group. Moreover, electromyography amplitude of triceps brachii recorded during strength measurements increased by 22.7% in the IT group. Moreover, swimming velocity in the 100 m butterfly and 50 m freestyle improved significantly following the four weeks of dry-land IT (-1.86% and -0.76%, respectively). Changes in the C group were trivial. Moreover, values of force and power registered during the ITMS test correlated negatively with the 100 m butterfly and 50 m freestyle swimming times (r value ranged from -.80 to -.91). These results suggest that IT can be useful in swimming practice.

<p>Inertial Training Improves Strength, Balance, and Gait Speed in Elderly Nursing Home Residents</p>

“…To date, the influence of inertial training on muscle strength has been tested mainly in healthy subjects and athletes, and the studies showed that relatively short inertial training periods promote skeletal muscle adaptations in strength, power, and size. [14][15][16][17] Our results indicate that inertial training can be used by the elderly to enhance their muscle strength. To the best of our knowledge, the improvement in strength (from 37% to 69% for different muscles) achieved by the elderly persons tested in the present study was extremely high.…”

Effect of Different Types of Strength Training on Swimming Performance in Competitive Swimmers: A Systematic Review

“…Sadowski et al [ 21 ] and Sadowski et al [ 41 ] used 25 m sprints in their research. Most studies investigated the swimming style front crawl, but Mavridis et al [ 31 ] investigated 50 m, 100 m and 200 m in the preferred style of the swimmer (an even distribution in all four swimming styles was applied in the study) and Naczk et al [ 40 ] investigated both the 50 m front crawl and 100 m butterfly.…”

“…Most of the interventions did not reach medium ES. Three studies showed a medium ES between groups [ 12 , 21 , 40 ], while six studies revealed large ES [ 32 , 35 , 44 , 46 , 48 , 50 ] for the 100 m front crawl. Four studies showed very large ESs [ 12 , 40 , 49 , 50 ], while only two studies showed huge ESs [ 41 , 47 ] (Fig.…”

“…The shift in focus obviously had a positive impact on the swimmer’s performance, but it is not certain that the swim bench training had an extra positive effect compared to the CG. Naczk et al [ 40 ] used the same swim bench method as Roberts et al [ 39 ] but found significant changes in the 50 m fc and 100 m butterfly (0.79% and 1.83%, respectively) in the EG only. However, Naczk et al [ 40 ] also had limitations, as the duration of the intervention was relatively short (4 weeks).…”

A Meta-Analysis of Resistance Training in Female Youth: Its Effect on Muscular Strength, and Shortcomings in the Literature

“…Several studies [64][65][66][67] were excluded on the basis that they did not provide any control group data, fulfilling other inclusion criteria. This study design feature takes on added significance in interventions in youth given that rapid changes in maturation status can result in both increases or decreases in physical capabilities [68,69].…”