Surface Combat Swimming Performance and Shooting Ability after Training With or Without Military Equipment.

Background: The present study examined the effect of a training program with or without equipment on 1000-m surface combat swimming and shooting ability.

Methods: The study included 45 officer cadets who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group (CG), a swimsuit and fins group (SF), and a combat uniform and equipment group (UE). SF and UE followed a 60-min surface combat swimming (sCS) training program for 4 weeks.

The Method but Not the Protocol Affects Lactate-Threshold Determination in Competitive Swimmers.

Purpose: The study validated variables corresponding to lactate threshold (LT) in swimming. Speed (sLT), blood lactate concentration (BLLT), oxygen uptake (VO2LT), and heart rate (HRLT) corresponding to LT were calculated by 2 different incremental protocols and validated in comparison with maximal lactate steady state (MLSS).

Methods: Ten competitive swimmers performed a 7 × 200-m front-crawl incremental "step test" with 2 protocols: (1) with 30-second rests between repetitions (short-rest incremental protocols) and (2) on a 5-minute cycle (swim + rest time, long-rest incremental protocols).

Habitual Nocturnal Sleep, Napping Behavior, and Recovery Following Training and Competition in Elite Water Polo: Sex-Related Effects.

Purpose: To examine nocturnal sleep patterns, napping behaviors, and subjective wellness responses of elite water polo players within an in-season week and to identify whether sleeping patterns differ between men and women.

Methods: Sleep characteristics of 10 male and 17 female professional water polo players were objectively assessed during 1 week of the in-season period, including 5 training days, 1 match day, and 1 day of rest. Internal load (rating of perceived exertion × duration of training or match) was assessed 30 minutes posttraining or postmatch, and the total quality of recovery was recorded every morning.

In-Season Training Load Variation - Heart Rate Recovery, Perceived Recovery Status, and Performance in Elite Male Water Polo Players: A Pilot Study.

Background: Increased training and competition demands of the in-season period may disturb athlete fatigue and recovery balance. The aim of this study was to describe the training load distribution applied in a competitive period and the training adaptations and fatigue/recovery status of elite water polo players.

Hypothesis: Effective workload management during tapering (TAP) would restore player recovery and enhance performance.

Effects of Training Sets Sequence on Swimming Performance, Training Load and Physiological Responses.

The study examined the effect of set sequence on performance and physiological responses in a training session and in each set separately. Twelve male swimmers performed four sessions in a randomized order, including a combination of two training sets: (i) set A-set C, (ii) set C-set A, (iii) set B-set C, (iv) set C-set B. Set A consisted of 8 × 200 m at a speed corresponding to lactate threshold (30 s recovery), set B included 8 × 100 m at the maximal aerobic speed (30 s recovery), set C included 8 × 50 m sprints at 95% of the maximum 50 m speed (30 s recovery).

Physiological Responses and Swimming-Performance Changes Induced by Altering the Sequence of Training Sets.

Purpose: Interval-training sets may be applied in a different sequence within a swimming training session. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different set sequences on performance and physiological responses in a training session.

Methods: Twelve highly trained male swimmers performed 4 sessions in randomized order.

Dry-Land Force-Velocity, Power-Velocity, and Swimming-Specific Force Relation to Single and Repeated Sprint Swimming Performance.

The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between dry-land and in-water strength with performance and kinematic variables in short-distance, middle-distance, and repeated sprint swimming. Fifteen competitive swimmers applied a bench press exercise to measure maximum strength (MS), maximum power (P), strength corresponding to P (F@P), maximum velocity (MV), and velocity corresponding to P (V@P) using F-V and P-V relationships. On a following day, swimmers performed a 10 s tethered swimming sprint (TF), and impulse was measured (IMP).

Intensified Olympic Preparation: Sleep and Training-Related Hormonal and Immune Responses in Water Polo.

Purpose: To investigate whether sleeping activity, hormonal responses, and wellness are altered in elite water polo players during their preparation toward the Tokyo Olympics.

Methods: Eight elite-level water polo players participated in 3 consecutive training phases: (1) before the commencement of a residential-based conditioning camp (PRE-CAMP; 3 d), (2) residential-based conditioning camp (5 d), and (3) a congested period of training and competition (POST-CAMP; 8 d). Nocturnal sleep was monitored for 14 consecutive days in PRE-CAMP (2 d), CAMP (5 d), and POST-CAMP (7 d).

Muscle Oxygenation, Heart Rate, and Blood Lactate Concentration During Submaximal and Maximal Interval Swimming.

This study aimed to determine the relationship between three testing procedures during different intensity interval efforts in swimming. Twelve national-level swimmers of both genders executed, on different occasions and after a standardized warm-up, a swimming protocol consisting of either a submaximal (Submax: 8 efforts of 50 m) or a maximal interval (Max: 4 efforts of 15 m), followed by two series of four maximal 25 m efforts. Near-infrared spectroscopy in terms of muscle oxygen saturation (SmO), heart rate (HR), and blood lactate concentration (BLa) were analyzed at three testing points: after the Submax or the Max protocol (TP), after the 1st 4 × 25-m (TP), and after the 2nd maximal 4 × 25-m set (TP).

The impact of daytime napping on athletic performance - A narrative review.

Mid-day napping has been recommended as a countermeasure against sleep debt and an effective method for recovery, regardless of nocturnal sleep duration. Herein, we summarize the available evidence regarding the influence of napping on exercise and cognitive performance as well as the effects of napping on athletes' perceptual responses prior to or during exercise. The existing studies investigating the influence of napping on athletic performance have revealed equivocal results.

Supercompensation in Elite Water Polo: Heart Rate Variability and Perceived Recovery.

We examined the association of heart rate variability assessed with the logarithm of the root mean square of successive differences (LnRMSSD) and perceived recovery status of nine elite water polo players with the fluctuations of the internal training load (ITL). ITL, post-wakening LnRMSSD, and measures of perceived recovery were obtained across one regeneration week, during two mesocycles of intensified preseason training (PR1, PR2) and during two mesocycles of in-season training (IN1, IN2). ITL at PR1 and PR2 was increased by 60-70% compared to regeneration week (p<0.

The Effect of Wet Conditions and Surface Combat Swimming on Shooting.

Introduction: Shooting ability is an important aspect of performance in some sports and is vital during a military operation. Load carriage, clothing, and equipment normally associated with fatigue and reduced field of vision or lack of stability at a specific point are important factors that affect the ability to aim when shooting. Additionally, gun support and equipment appear to differentially affect shooting ability with varying shooting positions.

The Effect of a Surface Combat Swimming Training Program on Swimming Performance.

In this study the effect of a surface combat swimming (sCS) training program on performance in freestyle swimming and sCS was examined. Forty-five officer cadets were divided into three equivalent groups: a control group (CG), a group that was trained only with a swimsuit and fins (SF), and a group that was trained with combat uniform and equipment (UE). Groups SF and UE followed a 60-min training program with sCS for 4 weeks, 4 times per week.

Lactate Threshold Evaluation in Swimmers: The Importance of Age and Method.

The purpose of the study was to define the most appropriate method for the calculation of the speed corresponding to lactate threshold (sLT) in male swimmers. Eight boys and eight adolescents (age: 11.4±0.

The Influence of the Coaches' Demographics on Young Swimmers' Performance and Technical Determinants.

The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between the coaches' demographics (academic degree and/or coaching level and/or coaching experience) and young swimmers' performance and technical ability. The sample was composed by 151 young swimmers (75 boys and 76 girls: 13.02 ± 1.

Effects of an International Tournament on Heart Rate Variability and Perceived Recovery in Elite Water Polo Players.

Botonis, PG, Smilios, I, Platanou, TI, and Toubekis, AG. Effects of an international tournament on heart rate variability and perceived recovery in elite water polo players. J Strength Cond Res 36(8): 2313-2317, 2022-The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of an international tournament participation in vagal-related heart rate variability and perceived recovery among elite water polo players.

Verifying Physiological and Biomechanical Parameters during Continuous Swimming at Speed Corresponding to Lactate Threshold.

The purpose of this study was to verify the physiological responses and biomechanical parameters measured during 30 min of continuous swimming (T30) at intensity corresponding to lactate threshold previously calculated by an intermittent progressively increasing speed test (7 × 200 m). Fourteen competitive swimmers (18.0 (2.

Heart rate recovery responses after acute training load changes in top-class water polo players.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of acute training load changes of elite water polo players on heart rate recovery (HRR) responses after a standardized swimming test. Nine water polo players were tested after a two-day light-load and two-day heavy-load training. Preliminarily, critical swimming speed was calculated.

Validating Physiological and Biomechanical Parameters during Intermittent Swimming at Speed Corresponding to Lactate Concentration of 4 mmol·L.

Background: Physiological and biomechanical parameters obtained during testing need validation in a training setting. The purpose of this study was to compare parameters calculated by a 5 × 200-m test with those measured during an intermittent swimming training set performed at constant speed corresponding to blood lactate concentration of 4 mmol∙L (V4).

Methods: Twelve competitive swimmers performed a 5 × 200-m progressively increasing speed front crawl test.