A lot of scientific research is now going into swimming and lifesaving. Especially in Japan and Australia researchers have come up with unexpected results.

Research Objectives

Swimming is often studied from a disciplinary perspective (e.g. biomechanics or exercise physiology). To better understand swimming performance, you should use a multi-disciplinary approach. For example, swimming technique is strongly related to both the mechanical and the metabolic load which swimming at a certain speed elicits. Rather than looking at any of these aspects separately, we seek to understand the relationships between metabolic, morphological, mechanical and coordinative aspects of swimming.

Training Load and Performance

A major goal of the research program is to gain a better understanding of the adaptive processes that occur in training (and in the short term as adaptation to 'fatigue' due to maximal exertion). With respect to training we like to relate training load (input) to the change in performance capacity (output). Understanding and using this knowledge to optimise these input-output relationships (on an individual level) is the goal of our swimming research program.

Swimming Resistance

The resistance encountered during swimming is a major performance factor. When swimming through the water, the body will undergo a retarding force due to resistance, or drag. This force is, given the magnitude of the competitive swimming speeds, predominantly due to turbulence behind the swimmer. Furthermore, when movement occurs at the water surface, additional resistance will arise due to wave formation by the swimmer. This total drag force is depending on swimming velocity to the power of at least two. Drag is therefore one of the factors that may limit swimming performance.

Increased Oxygen Uptake (VO2Max)

Scientists found out that swimmers, swimming at the same speed, consume more oxygen when swimming fully clothed than when wearing a traditional swimsuit (Andersen, 1960).

The increase in energy consumption when swimming while wearing clothes probably results from increased water resistance, which hinders movement of the arms and legs (Keatinge, 1961).

Japanese scientists have found ways to increase the oxygen uptake (VO2Max) and thus almost double training efficiency. A much better training result can be achieved by simply using clothes as a way to adjust swim training load.

Hydration and Fuelling during Exercise

Failure to maintain a hydrated state can lead to detrimental changes in the cardiovascular response to exercise, over-heating of the body and decreases in both maximal power and work capacity. Just a 2% drop in body weight due to dehydration can have an overall negative impact on exercise performance. In addition to staying hydrated, athletes are faced with the task of fuelling their bodies for performance.

Encourage your swimmers to consume 6-8% carbohydrate-electrolyte beverages frequently (about half a cup every 10-15 minutes) during workouts lasting longer than an hour to maintain fluid balance (prevent dehydration) and spare glycogen. Together, these effects are likely to have a positive impact on day-to-day practices, and ultimately competition performance.