The effectiveness of cryostimulation exposure on sleep and recovery in male athletes: Timing considerations.

The objectives of the study were (i) to evaluate the effects of whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) after training as an effective tool to improve sleep and recovery and (ii) to determine which exposure schedule for WBC (immediately after training vs. 1h before bedtime) is the most appropriate to improve sleep and recovery. Twenty-two well-trained male athletes or triathletes (23.

Longitudinal Analysis of Race-Management Strategies in a World-Class 200-m Freestyle Swimmer: A Case Study.

Purpose: To investigate race-management strategies over a longitudinal case study of one of the world's best female swimmers of the 200-m freestyle to understand if only 1 race-management strategy allowed her to succeed or whether several profiles have been used over the 8 years of analysis.

Methods: Different race-management strategies within and between 50-m laps emerged from cluster analysis. To better explain race management, additional characteristics described the level of adversity, the level of competition, the performance outcome, and the type of race.

Ten-Year Evolution of World Swimming Trends for Different Performance Clusters: A Gaussian Model.

Purpose: To analyze the evolution of the world ranking in swimming over the last 10 years, with particular attention to the effects of COVID-19 on the different levels of participating athletes.

Methods: The top 200 world-ranked entries in all swimming events (50-m pool) were collected from 2013 to 2022. A mathematical model (Gaussian model) was proposed to evaluate the ranking progression for different performance levels (clusters) according to distance, stroke, and gender.

Effects of repeated cryostimulation exposures on sleep and wellness in healthy young adults.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of daily whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) sessions during 5 consecutive days on wellness and sleep parameters in healthy young men and women. Twenty healthy subjects (9 women; 11 men) aged 23.1 ± 2.

Profiling biomechanical abilities during sprint front-crawl swimming using IMU and functional clustering of variabilities.

This study aims to profile biomechanical abilities during sprint front crawl by identifying technical stroke characteristics, in light of performance level. Ninety-one recreational to world-class swimmers equipped with a sacrum-worn IMU performed 25 m all-out. Intra and inter-cyclic 3D kinematical variabilities were clustered using a functional double partition model.

Effect of the pre-taper level of fatigue on the taper-induced changes in performance in elite swimmers.

Introduction: In swimming, performance gains after tapering could be influenced by the pre-taper level of fatigue. Moreover, this level of fatigue could be associated with sleep. This study aimed to assess (1) the effect of tapering on performance according to the pre-taper level of fatigue in swimmers and (2) the association between sleep and pre-taper level of fatigue.

From dry-land to the water: training and testing practices of strength and conditioning coaches in high level French sprint swimmers.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to explore training and testing practices from Strength & Conditioning (S&C) coaches who manage groups of high-level French swimmers in elite training centers. The transfer of abilities from dry-land to condition was also investigated.

Methods: 24 French S&C coaches completed a survey via an online platform.

Associations between load-velocity profiling and race parameters of elite swimmers in the 100 and 200m freestyle events.

Introduction: Improving swimming performance involves assessments of biomechanical variables of the stroke, and it can be achieved using semi-tethered swimming tests. The aim of this study was thus to investigate the associations between load-velocity (L-V) profiles, from a semi-tethered swimming protocol and race variables in the 100 m and 200 m freestyle events.

Methods: Eight swimmers completed a L-V profiling protocol consisting of four sprints (25 m, 25 m, 20 m, 15 m) against increasing loads (0.

Profiles of stroke regulations discriminate between finishing positions during international open water races.

This study aims to identify stroke regulation profiles and tipping-points in stroke regulation timing during international open water races according to performance level. Twelve elite or world-class swimmers were analysed during 18 international races. Stroke rate and jerk cost were computed cycle-to-cycle using an Inertial Measurement Unit and regulations profiles fitted using polynomials.

The Impact of Multisession Sleep-Hygiene Strategies on Sleep Parameters in Elite Swimmers.

Purpose: Short sleep duration and poor sleep quality are common in swimmers. Sleep-hygiene strategies demonstrated beneficial effects on several sleep parameters. The present study assessed the impact of a multisession sleep-hygiene training course on sleep in elite swimmers.

Corrective adjustment methods for relative age effects on French young swimmers' performances.

Background: This study aimed to identify a Relative Age Effect (RAE) among French young swimmers and apply corrective adjustment procedures to rebalance performances according to categories and events.

Methods: 5,339,351 performances of French swimmers aged 10 to 18 were collected between 2000 and 2019. Birth quarters distribution was examined according to competitiveness level ('All', 'Top50%', 'Top25%' and 'Top10%'), event and age category.

Kinematic Analysis of the Underwater Undulatory Swimming Cycle: A Systematic and Synthetic Review.

The increase of low-cost technology for underwater filming has made quantitative analysis an affordable resource for swimming coaches on a frequent basis. In this context, a synthesis of the kinematic determinants of underwater undulatory swimming (UUS) seems to be lacking. The aim of the present study was to synthesise the scientific evidence on the kinematic characteristics of competitive swimmers during UUS and the main kinematic determinants of UUS performance, as well as to summarise the main methodological considerations for UUS kinematic analysis.

Postlockdown Performance in French Swimming Championships.

Purpose: To measure the proportion of French swimmers that progressed, stagnated, or regressed during the 2020 national championship compared with previous ones.

Method: Individual best performances were collected at the French national championships from 2000 to 2020. Yearly proportions of swimmers who improved, stagnated, or regressed in performances were compared with their previous performances.

Effects of Extended Underwater Sections on the Physiological and Biomechanical Parameters of Competitive Swimmers.

Despite changes in the underwater sections of swimming races affecting overall performance, there is no information about the effects of the apnea-induced changes on the physiological state of competitive swimmers. The aim of the present research was to examine the effect of changes in the underwater race sections on the physiological [blood lactate concentration, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE)] and biomechanical (underwater time, distance, and velocity) parameters of competitive swimmers. Twelve youth competitive swimmers belonging to the national team (706 ± 28.

International Swimming League: Do Successive Events Lead to Improve Swimming Performance?

Purpose: To quantify the impact of successive competitions on swimming performance in world-class swimmers.

Methods: An entire data set of all events swum during a new competition named the International Swimming League was collected. A Bayesian linear mixed model has been proposed to evaluate whether a progression could be observed during the International Swimming League's successive competitions and to quantify this effect according to event, age, and gender.

Underwater and Surface Swimming Parameters Reflect Performance Level in Elite Swimmers.

Although the role of underwater phases is well-known, no study has taken an interest in describing and quantifying the distance and time spent in apnea as a condition for optimal performance. This study aimed to investigate the impact of time and distance spent underwater and surface parameters on the swimming performance of elite swimmers. The performances of 79 swimmers in 100-m freestyle were analyzed (short-course).

Risk Factors and Predictors of Hypothermia and Dropouts During Open-Water Swimming Competitions.

Purpose: To measure core temperature (Tcore) in open-water (OW) swimmers during a 25-km competition and identify the predictors of Tcore drop and hypothermia-related dropouts.

Methods: Twenty-four national- and international-level OW swimmers participated in the study. Participants completed a personal questionnaire and a body fat/muscle mass assessment before the race.

Non-targeted metabolomics analyses by mass spectrometry to explore metabolic stress after six training weeks in high level swimmers.

The objective was to compare the metabolic responses of high-level national swimmers to threshold or polarised training. 22 swimmers (n = 12 males and 10 females) participated in a 28-week cross-over intervention study consisting of 2 × 6 period weeks of training. Swimmers were assigned randomly to either training group for the first period: polarised (POL) (81% in energetic zone 1: blood lactate [La]b ≤ 2 mmol.

A Novel Method to Characterize the Pacing Profile of Elite Male 1500-m Freestyle Swimmers.

Purpose: Pacing, or the distribution of energy expenditure, is particularly important in swimming; however, there is limited research examining pacing profiles in long-distance freestyle events. This study aimed to characterize the pacing profiles of elite male 1500-m freestyle swimmers using a novel method to provide a detailed analysis of different race segments.

Methods: The race data for 327 male 1500-m freestyle long-course races between 2010 and 2019 were analyzed retrospectively.

Effectiveness of the hypoxic exercise test to predict altitude illness and performance at moderate altitude in high-level swimmers.

Purpose: The hypoxic exercise test is used to predict the susceptibility to severe High Altitude Illness (SHAI). In the present study, we aimed to use this test to predict the changes in performance and the physiological responses to moderate altitude in elite swimmers.

Methods: Eighteen elite swimmers performed a hypoxic exercise test at sea level before a moderate 12-day altitude training camp (1,850 m) to determine if they were susceptible or not to SHAI.

Bayesian approach to quantify morphological impact on performance in international elite freestyle swimming.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of morphological characteristics on freestyle swimming performance by event and gender.

Design: Height, mass, body mass index (BMI) and speed data were collected for the top 100 international male and female swimmers from 50 to 1500 m freestyle events for the 2000-2014 seasons.

Methods: Several Bayesian hierarchical regressions were performed on race speed with height, mass and BMI as predictors.

Training Organization, Physiological Profile and Heart Rate Variability Changes in an Open-water World Champion.

This case study reports the training of an elite 25-km open-water swimmer and the daily heart rate variability (HRV) changes during the 19-week period leading to his world champion title. Training load was collected every day and resting HRV was recorded every morning. The swimmer's characteristics were V̇O: 58.

Elite Swimmers' Training Patterns in the 25 Weeks Prior to Their Season's Best Performances: Insights Into Periodization From a 20-Years Cohort.

Background: This study investigated the periodization of elite swimmers' training over the 25 weeks preceding the major competition of the season.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of elite male ( = 60) and female ( = 67) swimmers (46 sprint, 81 middle-distance) over 20 competitive seasons (1992-2012). The following variables were monitored: training corresponding to blood lactate <2 mmol⋅L, 2 to ≤4 mmol⋅L, >4-6 mmol⋅L, >6 mmol⋅L, and maximal swimming speed; general conditioning and maximal strength training hours; total training load (TTL); and the mean normalized volumes for both in-water and dryland workouts.

Dynamics of the Metabolic Response During a Competitive 100-m Freestyle in Elite Male Swimmers.

Purpose: To compare the dynamics of maximal oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]), blood lactate ([La]), total energy expenditure (E), and contributions of the aerobic (E), alactic anaerobic (E), and lactic anaerobic (E) metabolic energy pathways over 4 consecutive 25-m laps (L, L, etc) of a 100-m maximal freestyle swim.

Methods: Elite swimmers comprising 26 juniors (age = 16 [1] y) and 23 seniors (age = 24 [5] y) performed 100 m at maximal speed and then 3 trials (25, 50, and 75 m) at the same pace as that of the 100 m. [La] was collected, and [Formula: see text] was measured 20 s postexercise.