Relation of Circuit Training to Swimming

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between circuit training and the improvement of endurance, speed, weight, and strength of swimmers during a six-week training period. Two groups of 12 college men were equated on the basis of distance swum in a 15-minute endurance test using the front crawl only. Both groups were also tested for swimming speed over 33 1/3 yd., height, weight, and ability to perform dips, chins, vertical jump, and push-ups. The experimental group combined circuit training and swimming in the program, but the control group had swimming only. It was found in the re-test at the end of six weeks, that the experimental group had made significant gains in swimming endurance and speed, weight, and ability to perform chins and push-ups. The control group made significant gains in swimming endurance and weight. It was also noted that the control group had a marked tendency to lose strength as measured by ability to perform chins, vertical jump, and push-ups. The experimental group made significantly greater gains than the control group in weight and chins. The increase in swimming speed by the experimental group was significantly greater than the control group at the 5.26 level of confidence. There was no significant evidence to show that the circuit training, which included weight training exercises, was in any way detrimental to swimming performance.