Isolated core training improves sprint performance in national-level junior swimmers

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Weston, M., Hibbs, A.E., Thompson, K.G. and Spears, I.R. ORCID: 0000-0003-4982-2841, 2015. Isolated core training improves sprint performance in national-level junior swimmers. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 10 (2), pp. 204-210. ISSN 1555-0265

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Official URL: http://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2013-0488

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of our study was to quantify the effects of a 12-week isolated core training programme on 50-m front crawl swim time and measures of core musculature functionally relevant to swimming.

Methods: Twenty national-level junior swimmers (ten male and ten female, 16 ± 1 y, 171 ± 5 cm, 63 ± 4 kg) participated in the study. Group allocation (intervention [n=10], control [n=10]) was based on two pre-existing swim training groups who were part of the same swimming club but trained in different groups. The intervention group completed the core training, incorporating exercises targeting the lumbo-pelvic complex and upper region extending to the scapula, three times per week for 12 weeks. While the training was performed in addition to the normal pool-based swimming programme, the control group maintained their usual pool-based swimming programme. We made probabilistic magnitude-based inferences about the effect of the core training on 50-m swim time and functionally relevant measures of core function.

Results: Compared to the control group, the core training intervention group had a possibly large beneficial effect on 50-m swim time (-2.0%; 90% confidence interval -3.8 to -0.2%). Moreover it showed smallmoderate improvements on a timed prone-bridge test (9.8%; 3.9 to 16.0%) and asymmetric straight-arm pull-down test (21.9%; 12.5 to 32.1%), there were moderate-large increases in peak EMG activity of core musculature during isolated tests of maximal voluntary contraction.

Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate a clear beneficial effect of isolated core training on 50-m front crawl swim performance.

Item Type:

Journal article

Alternative Title:

Core exercises and swimmers [running title]

Publication Title:

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

Creators:

Weston, M., Hibbs, A.E., Thompson, K.G. and Spears, I.R.

Publisher:

Human Kinetics Journals

Date:

2015