Adaptations to Swimming Training in Athletes with Down’s Syndrome

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Shaun M. Phillips¹  Anthony P. Turner¹  José María González-Ravé² 

[1] Sport, Physical Education & Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 8AQ, UK;Sports Training Laboratory, Faculty of Sports Sciences University of Castilla La Mancha, 45008 Toledo, Spain;

关键词: intellectual disabilities;    strength;    adapted sport;    periodization;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph17249175

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Swimming training programs may help to limit declines in cardiovascular conditioning, muscle strength, mobility and social functioning in individuals with Down’s Syndrome (DS): (1) Background: This study aims to analyze the effects of a periodized swimming training program on swimming speed, lower body force and power and body composition in a group of swimmers with DS; (2) Methods: Nine swimmers with DS (2 men and 7 women; aged 21-30 years-old) completed an 18-week periodized swimming program. The swimmers were assessed, pre and post-training, for 25 m, 50 m and 100 m freestyle swim performance, countermovement jump performance and body composition; (3) Results: Significant and large improvements in 25 m (mean −6.39%, p < 0.05, d = 1.51), 50 m (mean −4.95%, p < 0.01, d = 2.08) and 100 m (mean −3.08%, p < 0.05, d = 1.44) freestyle performance were observed following training, with no significant changes in body composition or consistent changes in jump performance (although a large mean 14.6% decrease in relative peak force, p < 0.05, d = 1.23) (4) Conclusions: A periodized 18-week training intervention may improve swimming performance in a small group of trained swimmers with DS, with less clear changes in jump performance or body composition. This program provides a training profile for coaches working with swimmers with DS and a platform for further research into the benefits of swimming training with this under-represented population.

【 授权许可】

Unknown