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. 2023 Sep 18;11(9):186.
doi: 10.3390/sports11090186.

Comparison of Ultra-Short Race Pace and High-Intensity Interval Training in Age Group Competitive Swimmers

Konstantinos Papadimitriou  1 , Athanasios Kabasakalis  2 , Anastasios Papadopoulos  3 , Georgios Mavridis  4 , Georgios Tsalis  5
Affiliations

Comparison of Ultra-Short Race Pace and High-Intensity Interval Training in Age Group Competitive Swimmers

Konstantinos Papadimitriou et al. Sports (Basel). .

Abstract

The aim of this study was tο examine the acute responses to an Ultra-Short Race Pace Training (USRPT) and a High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), both oriented for the event of 100 m freestyle. Eighteen national-level swimmers (8 boys, 10 girls) aged 13.5 ± 0.1 years, with 8.0 ± 0.5 years of experience participated in the study. All participants completed a USRPT and a HIIT protocol consisting of 2 × 10 × 25 m (USRPT1 & USRPT2) and 5 × 50 m. Significantly higher swimming velocity (SV) were achieved in USRPT compared to HIIT (p < 0.001), while significantly lower distance per stroke (DPS) and stroke index (SI) were obtained (p = 0.007 and p < 0.001). Also, significantly lower blood lactate and glucose (BL & BG) concentrations were found after USRPT (p ≤ 0.001 and p = 0.037). Heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were significantly lower after USRPT than HIIT (p < 0.001 and p = 0.015). According to the results, an USRPT swimming set consisting of 20 × 25 m at a 100 m pace seems to induce more specific responses in kinematic characteristics, biomarkers, HR and RPE compared to a 5 × 50 m HIIT set.

Keywords: blood lactate; freestyle; glucose; heart rate; swimming efficiency.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Measurement process.
Figure 2
Figure 2
BL concentration between USRPT and HIIT protocols. * = Significant difference between protocols (p < 0.05), # = Significant difference between USRPT measurements (p < 0.05).
Figure 3
Figure 3
ΒG concentration between USRPT and HIIT protocols. * = Significant difference between protocols (p < 0.05), # = Significant difference between USRPT measurements (p < 0.05).
Figure 4
Figure 4
HR between USRPT and HIIT protocols. USRPT1 = 1−10 × 25 m; USRPT2 = 11−20 × 25 m; * = Significant difference between protocols (p < 0.05), # = Significant difference between USRPT measurements (p < 0.05), § = Significant difference between genders (p < 0.05).
Figure 5
Figure 5
RPE between USRPT and HIIT protocols. USRPT1 = 1–10 × 25 m; USRPT2 = 11–20 × 25 m; * = Significant difference between protocols (p < 0.05), # = Significant difference between USRPT measurements (p < 0.05).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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