Modeling the Effects of Training in Competitive Swimming

This study has investigated the effect of training on performance and the response to taper in elite swimmers (n = 18), with a mathematical model that links training with performance by a second order transfer function and estimates negative and positive influences of training, NI and PI. Variations in training, performance, NI and PI were studied during 3, 4 and 6 week tapers preceding three important competitions. The fit between modeled and actual performance was significant for 17 subjects (r² ranged from 0.45 to 0.85, P < 0.05). The first two tapers resulted in a significant improvement in performance: 2.94 ± 1.51% (P < 0.01) and 3.18 ± 1.70% (P < 0.01), respectively, but not the third one. NI was significantly reduced during the first two tapers (P < 0.05), but not during the third one. PI did not change significantly with taper. These results show that the model used is a valuable method to describe the effects of training on performance. The improvement in performance during taper was attributed to a reduction in the NI level. PI did not improve with taper, but was not compromised by the reduced training periods.