The effect of different loads on semi-tethered swimming and its relationship with dry-land performance variables

ABSTRACT

Semi-tethered loaded swimming (denoted STLS) has been used widely to develop or test swimmers skills, although its transference to increase performance seems overestimated. In addition, its relationship with dry-land tests remains obscured by imprecise reports. Sixteen competitive male swimmers (age: 18.31 ± 1.42) participated in a two-fold purpose study: Firstly, swimming performance was assessed at different STLS intensities on an adapted Smith Machine. A repeated measures 1-way ANOVA was conducted to find differences between the variables collected through a linear encoder at 15%, 30%, 45% and 60% of the maximal load (ML). Secondly, the relationships between the swimming velocities and the different sorts of variables obtained on a dry-land arm-stroke strength test were studied by Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r). The results showed that less velocity, acceleration and impulse were delivered at high loads (p < 0.001). It increased the velocity fluctuation, affecting the swimming patterns adversely. On the other hand, the correlations between velocity-based dry-land variables and swimming velocities (r = 0.71) seem to be more suitable to predict swimming performance, rather than strength-based variables (r = 0.49). In conclusion, coaches should reconsider using STLS, as little or no benefit may be obtained in performance.

KEYWORDS:

• Swimming power
• performance assessment
• strength
• dry-land

Acknowledgments

To all the swimmers who voluntarily participated in this study. This work was supported by the [Spanish Agency of Research] and European Regional Development Fund [ERDF] under Grant [DEP 2014-59707-P SWIM: Specific Water Innovative Measurements applied to the development of International Swimmers in Short Swimming Events (50 and 100 M)].

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Geolocalization information

North latitude: 37º 12ʹ 19.229”

West longitude: 3º 35ʹ 52.246”

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the [Spanish Agency of Research] and European Regional Development Fund [ERDF] under Grant [DEP 2014-59707-P “SWIM: Specific Water Innovative Measurements applied to the development of International Swimmers in Short Swimming Events (50 and 100 M)].