EFFECTS OF INDIVIDUALIZED TRAINING AND RESPIRATORY MUSCLE TRAINING IN IMPROVING SWIMMING PERFORMANCE AMONG COLLEGIATE SWIMMERS - AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Abstract

Previous researches have been conducted to determine the types of training to improve swimming performance. Nevertheless, no study has been done on the individualized training approach among swimmers. Hence, this study aimed (i) to examine the effects of respiratory muscle training on swimming performance (ii) to examine the effects of combined respiratory muscle training with individualized training on swimming performance, and (iii) to compare the differences between the isolated respiratory muscle training, combined intervention of respiratory muscle training with individualized training and usual training on swimming performance.  For this, 45 collegiate swimmers with no previous injuries and swims regularly for at least 1 hour per week participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned into three groups; Group A: Respiratory muscle training and Individualized Training, Group B: Respiratory muscle training alone, and Group C: Usual training session. The difference within the groups after four weeks of the intervention was analyzed using Paired T-test, while the differences between intervention groups were analyzed using repeated measure two-way ANOVA. Both the intervention groups (Group A and B) showed significant improvement after four weeks of intervention, whereas in group comparison, Group A showed tremendous improvement in swimming performance (F (17,238) = 8.385, p<0.05, n_p² = 0.375). Thus, the current study has proven that the combination of respiratory muscle training with individualized training could further enhance the swimming performance in terms of heart rate, Vo2 max, stroke volume, perceived exertion, and SWOLF score. Future studies on athletic swimmers with a larger sample size are recommended to further examine the individualized training approach.