title: Effects of Short-Interval and Long-Interval Swimming Protocols on Performance, Aerobic Adaptations, and Technical Parameters: A Training Study.
abstract: Dalamitros, AA, Zafeiridis, AS, Toubekis, AG, Tsalis, GA, Pelarigo, JG, Manou, V, and Kellis, S. Effects of short-interval and long-interval swimming protocols on performance, aerobic adaptations, and technical parameters: A training study. J Strength Cond Res 30(10): 2871-2879, 2016-This study compared 2-interval swimming training programs of different work interval durations, matched for total distance and exercise intensity, on swimming performance, aerobic adaptations, and technical parameters. Twenty-four former swimmers were equally divided to short-interval training group (INT50, 12-16 × 50 m with 15 seconds rest), long-interval training group (INT100, 6-8 × 100 m with 30 seconds rest), and a control group (CON). The 2 experimental groups followed the specified swimming training program for 8 weeks. Before and after training, swimming performance, technical parameters, and indices of aerobic adaptations were assessed. ΙΝΤ50 and ΙΝΤ100 improved swimming performance in 100 and 400-m tests and the maximal aerobic speed (p ≤ 0.05); the performance in the 50-m swim did not change. Posttraining V[Combining Dot Above]O2max values were higher compared with pretraining values in both training groups (p ≤ 0.05), whereas peak aerobic power output increased only in INT100 (p ≤ 0.05). The 1-minute heart rate and blood lactate recovery values decreased after training in both groups (p < 0.01). Stroke length increased in 100 and 400-m swimming tests after training in both groups (p ≤ 0.05); no changes were observed in stroke rate after training. Comparisons between groups on posttraining mean values, after adjusting for pretraining values, revealed no significant differences between ΙΝΤ50 and ΙΝΤ100 for all variables; however, all measures were improved vs. the respective values in the CON (p < 0.001-0.05). In conclusion, when matched for distance and exercise intensity, the short-interval (50 m) and long-interval (100 m) protocols confer analogous improvements in swimming performance, in stroke cycle parameters, and in indices of aerobic adaptations after 8 weeks of training.
authors: 1Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece; 2Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki at Serres, Serres, Greece; 3Department of Aquatic Sports, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece; and 4The Capes Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brazil.
authors: Athanasios A
authors: AA
authors: Dalamitros
authors: Andreas S
authors: AS
authors: Zafeiridis
authors: Argyris G
authors: AG
authors: Toubekis
authors: George A
authors: GA
authors: Tsalis
authors: Jailton G
authors: JG
authors: Pelarigo
authors: Vasiliki
authors: V
authors: Manou
authors: Spiridon
authors: S
authors: Kellis
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult