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Pandemic-Induced Reductions on Swim Training Volume and Performance in Collegiate Swimmers

Author

Listed:
  • Gloria Martinez Perez

    (Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Studies, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA)

  • Matthew VanSumeren

    (Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Studies, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA)

  • Michael Brown

    (Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Studies, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA)

  • Tamara Hew-Butler

    (Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Studies, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant training disruptions during the 2020–2021 season, due to lockdowns, quarantines, and strict adherence to the pandemic protocols. The main purpose of this study was to determine how the pandemic training restrictions affected training volume and performance in one collegiate swim team. Cumulative training volume data across a 28-week season were compared between a pandemic (2020–2021) versus non-pandemic (2019–2020) season. The swimmers were categorized into three groups (sprinters, mid-distance, and long-distance) based on their training group. The performance times of 25 swimmers who competed in the regional championships, during both the non-pandemic and pandemic year, were compared via one-way ANOVA. Twenty-six male and 22 female swimmers commenced the 2020–2021 (pandemic) season, with 23% of the swimmers voluntarily opting out. Three COVID-19 cases were confirmed (2%) by the medical staff, with no long-term effects. Significant reductions in the average swim volume were verified in sprinters (32,867 ± 10,135 vs. 14,800 ± 7995 yards; p < 0.001), mid-distance (26,457 ± 10,692 vs. 17,054 ± 9.923 yards; p < 0.001), and long-distance (37,600 ± 14,430 vs. 22,254 ± 14,418 yards; p < 0.001) swimmers (non-pandemic vs. pandemic season, respectively). In the regional performance analyses, the sprinters swam faster ( n = 8; −0.5 ± 0.6 s), while the mid-distance ( n = 10; 0.17 ± 2.1 s) and long-distance ( n = 7; 6.0 ± 4.9 s) swimmers swam slower (F = 11.76; p = 0.0003; r 2 = 0.52). Thus, the pandemic caused significant reductions in swim training volume, with sprinters performing better and long-distance swimmers performing worse at the regional championships.

Suggested Citation

  • Gloria Martinez Perez & Matthew VanSumeren & Michael Brown & Tamara Hew-Butler, 2021. "Pandemic-Induced Reductions on Swim Training Volume and Performance in Collegiate Swimmers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2021:i:1:p:164-:d:710158
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Monoem Haddad & Zied Abbes & Iñigo Mujika & Karim Chamari, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 on Swimming Training: Practical Recommendations during Home Confinement/Isolation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, April.
    2. Emese Csulak & Árpád Petrov & Tímea Kováts & Márton Tokodi & Bálint Lakatos & Attila Kovács & Levente Staub & Ferenc Imre Suhai & Erzsébet Liliána Szabó & Zsófia Dohy & Hajnalka Vágó & Dávid Becker & , 2021. "The Impact of COVID-19 on the Preparation for the Tokyo Olympics: A Comprehensive Performance Assessment of Top Swimmers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-12, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Francesca Gallè & Carmela Protano & Matteo Zaccarin & Stefano Zanni & Federica Valeriani & Giorgio Liguori & Vincenzo Romano Spica & Matteo Vitali, 2022. "Swimming at the Time of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study among Young Italian Competitive Athletes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-8, October.

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