Kinematical and Muscular Fatigue in Swimmers

University of Genoa (UniGe)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Healthy

Treatments: Other: Swimming Fatigue Task

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06069440

DINOGMI-2023

Details and patient eligibility

About

During a submaximal task, gradual muscle fatigue occurs, which inevitably results in a decline in performance (mechanical failure). Elite athletes are known to employ unconscious compensatory strategies during fatiguing submaximal tasks in an attempt to delay the onset of mechanical failure as long as possible.

The purpose of this study was to gain valuable insight into the strategies used by elite swimmers to cope with mechanical failure. Twenty-two swimmers were subjected to a swim test consisting of swimming as long as possible at a predetermined and controlled pace. A light strip positioned at the bottom of the pool allows athletes to get feedback on which gait to keep. The kinematics (stroke rate, stroke length, and efficiency index) and electrical activity of 10 muscle groups were analyzed and compared at the beginning of the test (non-fatiguing conditions), just before the athlete lost the ability to maintain the predetermined pace (pre-mechanical failure), and after the athlete lost the ability to maintain the pace (mechanical failure). It is hypothesized that as fatigue becomes more pronounced and the point of inability to maintain a predetermined speed is approached, increased EMG activity will occur in key muscles while other muscle groups may show more obvious signs of fatigue. In addition, changes in the rhythm and coordination of upper limb movements may occur.

Enrollment: 23 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 16 to 24 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Middle- or long-distance swimmer specializing in front crawl
2. At least 3 years of experience in international competition
3. Daily use of flashing light for pace control in aerobic, anaerobic threshold and maximum oxygen consumption training.

Exclusion criteria

1. Presence of muscle pain or soreness that could prevent the athlete from performing at their best

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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23 participants in 1 patient group

swimmers

Experimental group

Treatment:

Other: Swimming Fatigue Task