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Int J Sports Med 2008; 29(11): 906-912
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1038377
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Volume vs. Intensity in the Training of Competitive Swimmers

O. Faude1 , 2 , T. Meyer1 , 2 , J. Scharhag1 , F. Weins1 , A. Urhausen3 , W. Kindermann1
  • 1Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, University of Saarland, Saarbrücken, Germany
  • 2Institute of Sports Medicine, University Paderborn, Paderborn, Germany
  • 3Center of Locomotor System, Sports Medicine and Prevention, Hospital Center of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision January 13, 2008

Publication Date:
17 April 2008 (online)

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Abstract

The present study aimed at comparing a high-volume, low-intensity vs. low-volume, high-intensity swim training. In a randomized cross-over design, 10 competitive swimmers performed two different 4-week training periods, each followed by an identical taper week. One training period was characterized by a high-training volume (HVT) whereas high-intensity training was prevalent during the other program (HIT). Before, after two and four weeks and after the taper week subjects performed psychometric and performance testing: profile of mood states (POMS), incremental swimming test (determination of individual anaerobic threshold, IAT), 100 m and 400 m. A small significant increase in IAT was observed after taper periods compared to pre-training (+ 0.01 m/s; p = 0.01). Maximal 100-m and 400-m times were not significantly affected by training. The POMS subscore of “vigor” decreased slightly after both training periods (p = 0.06). None of the investigated parameters showed a significant interaction between test-time and training type (p > 0.13). Nearly all (83 %) subjects swam personal best times during the 3 months after each training cycle. It is concluded that, for a period of 4 weeks, high-training volumes have no advantage compared to high-intensity training of lower volume.

Key words

swimming - aerobic endurance - anaerobic capacity - POMS - individual anaerobic threshold

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Dr. PhD Oliver Faude

University Paderborn
Institute of Sports Medicine

Warburger Str. 100

33098 Paderborn

Germany

Phone: + 49 (0) 52 51 60 35 87

Fax: + 49 (0) 52 51 60 31 88

Email: oliver.faude@uni-paderborn.de

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