Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Feijen, Stef
• Tate, Angela
• Kuppens, Kevin
• Struyf, Filip

Titel

119 Methods for monitoring training load in competitive swimming

Ist Teil von

• British journal of sports medicine, 2020-03, Vol.54 (Suppl 1), p.A51

Erscheinungsjahr

2020

Quelle

BMJ Journals

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• BackgroundInjuries remain prevalent in competitive swimming and year-round monitoring of the swimmer’s training load is warranted. However, swim-training programs changed greatly over the past decades and are now considered so complex that the swimmer’s training load can no longer be estimated by intuition or previous experience.ObjectiveKnowledge of scientifically valid methods for monitoring the training load can assist professionals working with the swimmer in developing well-balanced training programs. Consequently, this literature review aims to provide clinicians insight into the most-used methods to monitor training load in competitive swimming and provides recommendations for an integrative approach.DesignNarrative review.SettingRelevant studies were retrieved from Pubmed and Web of Science.Patients (or Participants)Competitive swimmers.Interventions (or assessment of risk factors)Components of both external and internal training load were extracted as reported in the original studies.Main outcome measurementsParameters for the evaluation and quantification of both externa land internal training load of competitive swimmers.ResultsStudies frequently included parameters of external training load such as the distance and duration of swim-training or the extent of dry-land exercise. Questionnaires have been the predominant and most cost-effective method of monitoring external training load. Regarding internal load, physiological measures of heart rate and blood lactate are most often used and still considered most accurate. However, subjective markers such as the ratings of perceived exertion are receiving more and more attention.ConclusionsLoad monitoring in competitive swimming requires measurements that are practical to perform during training. Despite their limitations, physiological markers are still considered most accurate and should at least be monitored in combination with swimming pace during incremental swimming tests. These should be combined with biomechanical and subjective markers until alternative methods are available.