Current technology for preparing elite swimmers suggests simultaneous development of dominant energy systems and efficient biomechanical patterns (swimming technique). In the case of nonstationary movements of a swimmer in the water medium, at the 1st stage metabolic energy with some loss is transferred into mechanical energy, then at the 2nd stage with additional loss mechanical energy is transformed into useful result- swimming velocity. The metabolic energy necessary to perform muscular work is submitted by both aerobic and anaerobic energy delivering systems [1, 2]. Fig. 1 illustrates the relative contributions of oxidative (Eai(a.s.)), phospogenic (Eai(fs.)) and lactacid (Eai(t.s.)) energy systems to the overall active energy metabolism (fail in athletes in relation to the duration of the performed work. The figure clearly shows a substantial contribution of the oxidative (aerobic) system to the active metabolism during exercises of different duration. Altitude training over a duration of 21-28 days at altitudes 2100±200 m above sea level is widely used in swimming in order to increase aerobic capacity, power and efficiency within definite periods of training macro cycles, including periods of preparation for major events. The content of individual training programs at altitude depends on the timing of altitude training within the macro cycle. Most frequently one of two variants of altitude training is used: 1) 1intensive'-with descent to sea level after altitude training 21-25 days before the major competitions and 2) 1extensive'-with descent 40-42 days before the major event. lt should be mentioned here that both variants of altitude training have been used efficiently to maximise sport performance. Nevertheless, the 2nd variant is considered by many swimming specialists as much more safe/ because training at altitude is predominantly aerobic and a block of high intensity race specific training is performed after descent to sea level instead. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of individual training programs on the dynamics of swimming velocity at the anaerobic threshold, vO (AT), and the efficiency of swimming technique during a 21-day altitude training camp (altitude 1960 m, descent to sea level, 40-42 days before a major swimming event). All of the swimmers who took part in the study specialised in 100 and 200 m events (Russian distance swimmers use a different training strategy).
© Copyright 2014 XIIth International Symposium for Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming. Published by Australian Institute of Sport. All rights reserved.