Investigation of responses of age-group swimmers during training

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to monitor a series of multidisciplinary indices associated with swimming performance in age-group swimmers throughout a period of serious training. Three female and three male members of the Thunder Bay Thunderbolts Swim Club, Thunder Bay, Ontario were the subjects of this nine week investigation The test protocol measured 1) height, 2) weight, 3) skinfold measurements, 4) resting heart rate, 5) resting blood pressures, 6) hemoglobin, 7) hematocrit, and 8) M.C.H.C. A sociological scale, a psychological inventory, and a stress index were included. Graphical analyses were used. Changes had to be visually obvious to be recognized. The results showed that 1) variations were unique to the individual subjects, 2) individual responses were independent of the training load, 3) intra-subject parameters varied within ranges unique to each individual, 4) individual, rather than group assessments, may be necessary, 5) longitudinal testing data is necessary , 6) testing protocols unique to an individual athlete might be specified, and 7) ranges of tolerance rather than finite data points may more accurately measure an athlete's adaptation to a state of training.