Maximal athletic performance can be limited by various factors, including restricted respiratory function. These limitations can be mitigated through targeted respiratory muscle training, as supported by numerous studies. However, the full potential of respiratory training in competitive finswimming has not been fully investigated. This case study aims to evaluate the effects of eight-week respiratory muscle training (RMT) on performance variability during the underwater phases of a 200 m bi-fins race simulation in an elite finswimmer (current world record holder and multiple world championship medalist). Performance variability was assessed based on pre-test, inter-test, and post-test data. Each measurement included pulmonary function and swim performance evaluations. In this study, underwater performance parameters, such as distance, time, velocity, and number of kicks, were assessed using video analysis synchronized with race timing and evaluated using the Dartfish software. The swimmer followed a 28-day training program with an Airofit PROTM respiratory trainer between tests, with daily sessions targeting both inspiratory and expiratory muscles. The training involved 6-10 min of targeted exercises per day. Significant improvements were observed in Wilcoxon's paired-sample test between the pre-test and post-test results in terms of underwater distance (p = 0.012; d = 1.26), underwater time (p = 0.012; d = 1.26), and number of underwater kicks (p = 0.043; d = 1.01), resulting in a 14.23% longer underwater distance, 14.08% longer underwater time, and 14.94% increase in underwater kicks. Despite the increased distance and time, underwater velocity remained stable, indicating improved underwater performance efficiency. Despite some improvements, it is not possible to conclude that respiratory muscle training (RMT) can contribute to improved finswimming performance during the underwater phases of a 200 m bi-fins race simulation in this particular athlete's case. Further research with a larger sample size is necessary to fully understand the impact of RMT on finswimming performance.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Východiska: Současná pravidla plavání umožňují v rámci prsařských disciplín provedení dvou odlišných způsobů pohybového cyklu pod hladinou. TYP 1 provádí delfínový kop současně se záběrem pažemi ke stehnům, TYP 2 provádí delfínový kop před záběrem pažemi ke stehnům. Cíle: Cílem studie bylo posoudit dva typy pohybového cyklu pod hladinou s ohledem na dosažený čas v úseku 15 m po startu a po obrátce. Posouzen byl také vztah jeho dílčích sub-fází a dosaženého času během fáze pod hladinou po startu a po obrátce. Metodika: Pro účely studie byly analyzovány videozáznamy účastníků (n = 59; věk 23,6 ± 6,9; FINA body 822 ± 95) Mistrovství Evropy v Glasgow 2019 a v Kazani 2021 na 25m bazénu. Výsledky: Dosažený čas v úseku 15 m po startu a po obrátce se významně nelišil, oba typy pohybového cyklu pod hladinou se tedy jeví jako stejně účinné. Sub-fáze 1 a Sub-fáze 3 silně korelovaly s časem fáze pod hladinou po startu u pohybového cyklu pod hladinou TYP 1 (r ≥ 0,81; r ≥ 0,63). Významně se lišila pouze sub-fáze 1 po startu (p = 0,027). Závěry: TYP 2 splývá po startu v rámci sub-fáze 1 významně kratší dobu než TYP 1 a zahajuje delfínový kop v příliš vysoké rychlosti, což negativně ovlivňuje další průběh pohybového cyklu pod hladinou. V případě optimálního načasování delfínového kopu výsledky naznačují větší potenciál pro TYP 2 po startu.
Background: In breaststroke, it is possible to use two types of pull-out techniques during the underwater phase. In TYPE 1 the dolphin kick is performed at the same time as the arm pullout. In TYPE 2 the dolphin kick is finished before arm pull-out. However, it is unclear which technique is more effective. Objective: The aim was to assess two types of pull-out technique and their influence on the time 15 m after the start and turn. Moreover, the relationship of all sub-phases in both techniques during the underwater phases after the start and turn was assessed. Methods: : Video footages of all male participants (n = 59; age 23.6 ± 6.9; FINA points 822 ± 95) at the 2019 and 2021 European swimming short-course championships were analyzed. Results: No differences in 15 m after the start and turn were found. Both pull-out techniques seem to be equally effective. Sub-phase 1 and Sub-phase 3 strongly correlated with the time of the underwater phase in TYPE 1 (r ≥ 0.81; r ≥ 0.63). Sub-phase 1 strongly correlated with the time of the underwater phase in TYPE 2 (r ≥ 0.63). After the start and turn a significant difference was found in sub-phase 1 (p = 0.027). Conclusions: TYPE 2 spent less time gliding after the start and initiated the dolphin kick at a higher speed, which negatively affected the rest of the underwater phase. When optimal timing of the dolphin kick, our results suggest a greater potential for TYPE 2.
