Elite swimmers’ fitness test technology driven by active metabolism rate variation analysis versus swimming speed test rates

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Dr.Biol., Professor S.V. Kolmogorov1
PhD, Associate Professor А.Р. Vorontsov2
PhD, Associate Professor O.A. Rumyantseva1
1Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Arkhangelsk
2University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom

The authors developed and tested an elite swimmers’ fitness test technology driven by an active metabolism rate variation analysis versus swimming speed, with the functionality, strength, technical fitness and swimming technique test rates analyzed in a training cycle to improve the swimming speeds on a style- and distance-specific basis. Applied for the study purposes was the range of educational, physiological, hydrodynamic, biomechanical and ergometric test methods plus computer modeling and mathematical data processing methods. The new technology testing experiment was run in a 25m swimming pool in the winter training macro-cycle (including preparatory, aerobic-strength, special, focused training and competitive cycles) prior to the 2014 World Championship. In every of the above cycles, special interval tests with the stepped external flow rates in the hydrodynamic channel and open swimming pool were applied to rate the key process parameters including: active energy metabolism rates; mechanical and propulsion movement efficiency ratios; and active hydrodynamic front resistance rate. The new test technology gives the means for the coaching team to rate efficiency of every individual training system in every training cycle and prudently plan and manage the training process.

Keywords: active metabolism test rate, mechanical and propulsion movement efficiency ratios, swimming speed.

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