Physiological Response to Resisted Plyometric Training on Swimmers Sprint Swim Abilities

This study used a casual comparative/quasi-experimental research design to determine whether resisted plyometric training has a more significant effect than non-resisted plyometric training on competitive teenage swimmers’ power and speed. Twelve swimmers were randomly assigned to a resisted group (n = 6, age: 14.5 ± 0.96 years; G (RES)) and an unresisted group (n = 6, age 14.17 ± 1.77 years; G UNRES). In both RES and UNRES groups the plyometric training consisted of lateral box step-ups and squat jumps before swim training twice per week. Pre and post-tests consisted of a power test (vertical jump via Vertical Jump Challenger) and three swim tests: 25-yard freestyle kick with a board from a push off the wall, 25-yard freestyle swim from a push off the wall, and a 50-yard freestyle swim off the diving block (digital timestamps via Swim Coach Plus Application). Results showed a 3.81 cm improvement in the UNRES groups vertical jump test (41.06 ± 9.83, 44.87 ± 9.59) and 6.35 cm improvement in the RES (40.22 ± 12.69, 46.57 ± 10.86) but no statistically significant difference. There was no interaction effect for the 25-yard freestyle kick from a push and the 25-yard swim from a push off the wall. In the 50-yard freestyle off the block there was an effect for time (pre vs. post) F(7.264), p=0.022. The RES group improved by 0.37 seconds (28.58 ± 1.90, 28.21 ± 1.65) and the UNRES group improved by 0.75 seconds (30.97 ± 4.12, 30.22 ± 4.11). Results suggested a positive effect of plyometric training on swimming specific tasks such as the dive or turn (i.e., 50-yard freestyle from a dive). Recommendation towards future research should be towards assessments that test the swimmers turn more frequently (i.e., 75-100-200-yard freestyle sprint off the diving block) and should start with a dive as it is the most sport specific assessment.