ABSTRACT
The effects of a 13 week swim training period were studied in untrained high school females (n=11, 16.1±1.3 years). Dramatic improvements in swimming performance, 91.44 and 182.88 m) occurred throughout the entire season (P<0.05). These improvements were explained, in part, by enhanced aerobic power (P<0.05) and an increase in maximal stroke frequency (P z 0.05). Indirect markers of muscle membrane damage, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and serum oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) were found to be sensitive indicators of the training load. Furthermore, a drop in volume of training during the first two weeks of the three week taper (66%), and a 37% drop in frequency, while maintaining intensity (90–100% HR max) of training, did not decrease aerobic power and resulted in an enhancement of swimming performance. This is of importance to the coach and athlete who feel that reductions in the training load late in the season may lead to a detraining effect.
