The Effect of an Altitude Training Camp on Swimming Start Time and Loaded Squat Jump Performance

PLoS One. 2016 Jul 28;11(7):e0160401. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160401. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

This study evaluated the influence of an altitude training (AT) camp on swimming start time and loaded squat jump performance. To accomplish this goal, 13 international swimmers (8 women, 5 men) were allocated to both the control (Sea Level Training, SLT) and experimental conditions (AT, 2320 m above sea level) that were separated by a one year period. All tests (15 m freestyle swimming start and loaded squat jumps with additional loads of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of swimmers' body weight) were performed before and after a concurrent 3-week strength and endurance training program prescribed by the national coach. Following the SLT camp, significant impairments in swimming start times to 10 (+3.1%) and 15 m (+4.0%) were observed (P < 0.05), whereas no significant changes for the same distances were detected following the AT camp (-0.89%; P > 0.05). Trivial changes in peak velocity were obtained during the loaded squat jump after both training periods (effect sizes: < 0.20). Based on these results we can conclude that a traditional training high-living high strategy concurrent training of 3 weeks does not adversely affect swimming start time and loaded squat jump performance in high level swimmers, but further studies are necessary to assess the effectiveness of power-oriented resistance training in the development of explosive actions.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Altitude*
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Swimming*
  • Weight Lifting*
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (DEP2012-35774), Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (Predoctoral Grant FPU12/00360), and Ferrovial S. A. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.