Abstract
e paper aims to bring to the fore some training methods and equipment that can improve sports performance in swimmers aged 12-14 years. The research, conducted at two swimming centres in Bucharest and Bacău, involved 32 athletes who were divided into two groups as follows: 16 in the experimental group and 16 in the control group. They were elite athletes practising swimming from the age of 5-6 years, 6 to 8 times a week. All of them performed the same in-water training for 14 weeks, but those in the experimental group also used a device to train their respiratory muscles before and after each workout, 3 x 30 inhalations. The research methods used were: literature review, pedagogical observation, experiment, mathematical statistics, and graphical method. The efficiency of the inspiratory muscles was measured using the PowerBreathe K-Series device, which recorded the values of lung capacity, inspiratory muscle strength and power, inspiratory pressure and breathing energy. The obtained results confirm the research hypotheses according to which there is a significant difference (of 36.7%) between the improved times of the two groups in favour of the experimental group, meaning 0.67 hundredths of a second for every 50 m swum in their preferred event after 14 weeks of using the device to train their respiratory muscles. Keywords: lung capacity, inspiratory power, lung power, respiratory muscle training. Received: 16 October 2023 / Revised: 27 October 2023 / Accepted: 28 November 2023 / Published: 30 December 2023 Copyright: © 2023 Trandafir. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted
© 2023 Trandafir. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. Introduction The primary objective of a swimmer is to achieve the fastest possible time in a race. Literature highlights that various anthropometric, physiological, and biomechanical parameters influence optimal performance (Mooney et al., 2016; Dadashi et al., 2015; Vantorre et al., 2010; Ruschel et al., 2007; Hue et al., 2006; Alberty et al., 2006; Smith et al., 1988; Costill et al., 1985). Swimming demands energy for buoyancy, horizontal movement using arms and legs, and overcoming water resistance. The contribution of anaerobic alactic, anaerobic lactic, and aerobic energy systems varies depending on the competitive event. In the shortest swimming event, the 50m sprint, the relative contributions of each system are as follows: ATP-PC 65%, anaerobic glycolysis (lactate) 30%, and aerobic 5%. For a 200m event, the energy supply comes
Discobolul – Physical Education, Sport and Kinetotherapy Journal, Volume 62, Issue 4, 280-292 281 from ATP-PC 10%, anaerobic glycolysis 20%, and aerobic system 75-80%, while open water swimming or endurance events rely almost exclusively on the aerobic energy system (Australian Swimming Inc., 1996). Regardless of the form it takes, endurance is an essential quality for swimmers. It defines the ability to sustain prolonged effort at high levels, representing the athlete's capacity to overcome the discomfort induced by prolonged exertion, namely fatigue. In the development of endurance, it is crucial to alternate effort with muscular relaxation; "a muscle in which the phases of action and relaxation are well balanced can work extensively, and an example in this regard is the heart and respiratory muscles" (Lewin, as cited by Hotz, 1985). Cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscular endurance are crucial factors influencing performance in swimming, regardless of the competition event. Therefore, special attention must be given to the development of aerobic capacity in training. An athlete's aerobic capacity depends on several factors, including maximal aerobic power measured in relation to the maximum rate at which oxygen is absorbed and used by the body during maximal exercise. This dependence is influenced by the functioning of the pulmonary system, the capacity of the heart, oxygen-carrying capacity and factors associated with the musculoskeletal system (Bassett & Howley, 2000). The pulmonary system, through gas exchange, can substantially limit an athlete's cardiac output (Jones & Carter, 2000) and lactate threshold, where the power and speed that can be sustained at the lactate threshold are important predictors of the endurance capacity (Dumke et al., 2012). The aerobic training zone encompasses efforts of low and moderate intensity. This zone extends until the rate of lactate production exceeds the rate of elimination. When the lactate accumulation rate rises above the baseline, the aerobic threshold occurs. Once this threshold is surpassed, the swimmer cannot sustain the same pace for an extended period. At this stage, hypoaerobic fibres dominate compared to hyperaerobic fibres. Training above the aerobic threshold affects the muscles' ability to tolerate or buffer acid and eliminate lactate from the intracellular environment
When the lactate accumulation rate rises above the baseline, the aerobic threshold occurs. Once this threshold is surpassed, the swimmer cannot sustain the same pace for an extended period. At this stage, hypoaerobic fibres dominate compared to hyperaerobic fibres. Training above the aerobic threshold affects the muscles' ability to tolerate or buffer acid and eliminate lactate from the intracellular environment (Australian Swimming Inc., 1996). Studies investigating blood lactate and heart rate responses in relation to swimming speed highlight that the most accurate assessment of anaerobic capacity is obtained in races of 2 × 100m or n × 100m (Keskinen et al., 1989). Metabolic acidosis occurring beyond the anaerobic threshold contributes to performance limitations (Cellini et al., 1986). An essential aspect of aerobic endurance performance is the ability to sustain the highest percentage of maximum oxygen uptake (%VO2max) for as long as possible (Bosquet et al., 2002). Additionally, experts have demonstrated that the dynamics of VO2 can provide valuable information about athletes' long-term physiological adaptations, allowing them to maintain a high %VO2max in a physiologically balanced state during aerobic endurance performance (Gaesser & Poole, 1996; Poole et al., 1988; Poole and Richardson, 1997). Consequently, coaches manipulate the training load, whether it is about physical conditioning or technical and tactical improvement (usually described as a combination of volume, intensity, frequency, and dry-land workouts), in different training periods to maximise the performance capacity of their athletes. In this context, the efficiency of the respiratory system is particularly important in elite swimmers because swimming requires the ability to adjust breathing patterns to higher volumes and flow rates than in other sports, given that water immersion forces athletes to expand their
Discobolul – Physical Education, Sport and Kinetotherapy Journal, Volume 62, Issue 4, 280-292 282 chest wall against greater pressure and increase inspiratory muscle contraction velocity and tidal volume, which could lead to muscle fatigue (Kilding et al., 2010). Research shows that inspiratory muscle training can be used to improve performance and increase respiratory efficiency in athletes (Illi et al., 2012; Wells et al., 2005). In order to establish individualised training programmes, it is necessary to monitor vital capacity and inspiratory muscle strength using different techniques or instruments. The purpose of this research is to demonstrate that the use of specific long-distance training once a week (in addition to regular training), together with the use of specific PowerBreathe devices to improve vital capacity, can increase sports performance in swimmers aged 12-14 years. Research hypothesis Using a special device to train vital capacity improves the performance of swimmers aged 12-14 years. Methodology Methods The research methods used were: literature review, pedagogical observation, experiment (using the PowerBreathe K-Series device), mathematical statistics (using the t-test and Levene’s test) and graphical method. Procedure For this research, the PowerBreathe K-Series device was used, which is connected to a computer (Figure 1) and can measure vital capacity or maximum inhaled volume in litres (L), inspiratory power in watts (W), inspiratory flow in litres/second (L/s), inspiratory pressure in cmH2O and breathing energy in joules (J). This device was chosen because it makes 3000 measurements per second, so the provided results are highly accurate and reliable. Two tests of 10 inhalations were used in the present research. The participants performed two series of 10 inhalations through the device, which then displayed the average score for each athlete. The tests were performed with this device because it offers the possibility to make measurements during the inspiratory phase (not only when breathing out), and its software automatically calculates the arithmetic mean of the data, so no further calculations are needed after completing the tests. We also believe that it is more relevant to use the data collected during continuous inhalation 10 times than while breathing out as in the case of
to make measurements during the inspiratory phase (not only when breathing out), and its software automatically calculates the arithmetic mean of the data, so no further calculations are needed after completing the tests. We also believe that it is more relevant to use the data collected during continuous inhalation 10 times than while breathing out as in the case of the spirometer and thus one can obtain the athletes’ real results instead of the hypothetical ones. Since swimmers were forced to perform 10 breaths, they could not mislead the device through residual breathing. For this reason, the results provided by the device truly reflect the athletes’ vital capacity and power, which are made available to them during competition or training.
Discobolul – Physical Education, Sport and Kinetotherapy Journal, Volume 62, Issue 4, 280-292 283 All participants did the same dry-land warm-up, dry-land strength training, in-water training and stretching after each workout prescribed by the research leader. The difference between the experimental group and the control group consisted in the use of a respiratory muscle training device by the experimental group athletes before and after each training session, with 3 series of 30 inhalations through the device. Figure 1. PowerBreathe K-series device connected to a laptop (Breathe Well Physio, n.d.) Each athlete was instructed to use the device at the maximum bearable power for them during the 3 series of 30 inhalations and exhalations. Participants The research participants are 32 elite athletes practising swimming on a daily basis from the age of 5-6 years, who are members of the Steaua Bucharest, SCM Bacău, CSM Bacău and AS Nautica Bacău clubs. They are aged 12-14 years, and many of them are members of the Romanian National Cadet Team, multiple medallists at national and international championships and participants in several major competitions in the country and in Europe. The present study contains the results and data provided by the PowerBreathe K-Series device. The 32 investigated athletes participated in all existing swimming events, namely: 50 m butterfly, 50 m backstroke, 50 m breaststroke, 50 m freestyle, 100 m butterfly, 100 m backstroke, 100 m breaststroke, 100 m freestyle, 200 m butterfly, 200 m backstroke, 200 m breaststroke, 200 m freestyle, 400 m freestyle, 800 m freestyle and 1500 m freestyle. Specialists distinguish between sprint and long-distance events. Sprint includes all 50 m (butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle) and 100 m (backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle) races, except for the 100 m butterfly that is considered a long-distance event. Long-distance events include all 200 m (butterfly, backstroke, bras, freestyle) races, 400 m, 800 m, and 1500 m freestyle, plus the 100 m butterfly, which is thought to be a long-distance event due to its technical difficulty. Research stages In the first stage of the research, we went to the clubs located in Bucharest and Bacău, where the athletes
event. Long-distance events include all 200 m (butterfly, backstroke, bras, freestyle) races, 400 m, 800 m, and 1500 m freestyle, plus the 100 m butterfly, which is thought to be a long-distance event due to its technical difficulty. Research stages In the first stage of the research, we went to the clubs located in Bucharest and Bacău, where the athletes and their parents were explained the functioning of the respiratory system and the
Discobolul – Physical Education, Sport and Kinetotherapy Journal, Volume 62, Issue 4, 280-292 284 need to increase vital capacity but especially respiratory muscle strength. We discussed the research hypotheses and how respiratory muscle training could help athletes achieve their goals. The possibility and content of training were discussed with the athletes’ parents and coaches, their consent for testing was obtained, and then the initial testing was conducted in Bucharest at the beginning of September. Following the 14 weeks of specific training performed in water and on dry land, at the end of the 2022 season (after the National Cadet Championship in December 2022), the final testing took place. Results Table 1. Comparative analysis of the results obtained by the experimental group vs. the control group at the initial testing - final testing_ Lung volume GROUP Mean Mean diff. Median SD Minimum Maximum Range Variation coeff iT Experiment 2.22 0.32 2.16 0.51 1.38 3.39 2.01 23.07 Control 1.90 1.80 0.41 1.24 2.71 1.47 21.37 fT Experiment 2.60 0.45 2,77 0.52 1.85 3,48 1.63 19.87 Control 2.15 1,96 0,42 1,62 2.91 1.29 19,54 Table 2. Independent T-test control group vs experimental group _ Lung volume Testing Levene test for dispersion equality t-test Effect size Mean difference t P F Sig. initial 2.71 0.110 0.32 -1.474 0.080 0.695 Final 7.207 0.011 0.45 -2.684 0.011 1.42 The results show a t = -1.474 at the baseline test, at p of 0.080, higher than 0.05, from which we can conclude that in terms of lung volume of athletes in the experimental group vs control group at baseline testing, the difference is not significant. At the final test, t = -2.684 at a p- value of 0.011, less than 0.05 highlights that the lung volume of the experimental group is significantly higher than that of the control group at the final test, with a difference of 0.45. Table 3 Comparative analysis of the results obtained by the experimental group vs. the control group at baseline test - final test _ Vital power (Watt) GRUPS Mean Mean diff Median SD Minimum Maximum Range Variation coeff. iT Experiment
the experimental group is significantly higher than that of the control group at the final test, with a difference of 0.45. Table 3 Comparative analysis of the results obtained by the experimental group vs. the control group at baseline test - final test _ Vital power (Watt) GRUPS Mean Mean diff Median SD Minimum Maximum Range Variation coeff. iT Experiment 4.86 1.7 2.80 4.49 1.18 11.40 10.22 82.61 Control 3.16 2.62 2.61 0.86 15.53 14.87 92.34 fT Experiment 6.97 2.52 5.62 4.49 2.51 19.29 16.78 64.46 Control 4.45 3.69 2.82 2.24 12.85 10.61 63.43
Discobolul – Physical Education, Sport and Kinetotherapy Journal, Volume 62, Issue 4, 280-292 285 Table 4. Independent T-test control group vs experimental group at baseline test - Vital power (Watt) Test Levene test for equal dispersions Equal dispersions t-test for equality of means Effect size Mean difference t P F Sig. Initial 1.715 0.200 1.203 1.70 -1.22 0.119 0.478 Final 3.615 0.066 1.782 2.52 -1.803 0.045 1.41 The value of t = -1.22 at a significance threshold of 0.119, greater than 0.05, indicates that concerning the lung power (Watt) of athletes in the two groups, the difference at the initial testing is not significant. At the final testing, obtaining a t = -1.803 and a significance threshold of 0.045, less than 0.05, highlights that the difference at the final testing is statistically significant. Table 5. Comparative analysis of results obtained by the experimental group vs. the control group at initial testing – final testing _ Airflow (CmH2O) GRUPS Mean Mean diff Median SD Minimum Maximum Range Variation Coefficient iT Experiment 15.97 2.34 12.31 5.07 7.77 32.52 24.75 48.63 Control 13.63 13.44 7.77 7.95 26.30 18.35 37.19 fT Experiment 21.83 20.07 8.29 11.39 45.21 33.82 37.96 Control 16.52 5.31 14.97 4.70 11.14 28.68 17.51 28.43 Table 6. Independent T-test control group vs. experimental group at initial testing - Airflow (CmH2O) Test Levene test for equal dispersions t-test Effect size Mean difference t P F Sig. Initial 1.014 0.321 2.34 -1.007 0.164 0.364 Final 4.971 0.033 5.31 -1.994 0.032 1.414 The results highlight a t = -1.007 at a significance level of 0.164, higher than 0.05, and we can assert that the difference in airflow in CmH2O between athletes in the control group and the experimental group at the initial testing is not statistically significant. At the final testing, t = -1.994 at a significance level of 0.032, less than 0.05, indicates a statistically significant difference in the airflow in CmH2O between athletes in the control group and the experimental group.
not statistically significant. At the final testing, t = -1.994 at a significance level of 0.032, less than 0.05, indicates a statistically significant difference in the airflow in CmH2O between athletes in the control group and the experimental group.