Characteristics and Challenges of Open-Water Swimming Performance: A Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1275-1284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Baldassarre ◽  
Marco Bonifazi ◽  
Paola Zamparo ◽  
Maria Francesca Piacentini
Keyword(s):  
Female Athletes ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Open Water ◽  
The Body ◽  
Fat Tissue ◽  
Propelling Efficiency ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Open Water Swimming ◽  
Published Research

Context: Although the popularity of open-water swimming (OWS) events has significantly increased in the last decades, specific studies regarding performance of elite or age-group athletes in these events are scarce. Purpose: To analyze the existing literature on OWS. Methods: Relevant literature was located via computer-generated citations. During August 2016, online computer searches on PubMed and Scopus databases were conducted to locate published research. Results: The number of participants in ultraendurance swimming events has substantially increased in the last 10 y. In elite athletes there is a higher overall competitive level of women than of men. The body composition of female athletes (different percentage and distribution of fat tissue) shows several advantages (more buoyancy and less drag) in aquatic conditions that determine the small difference between males and females. The main physiological characteristics of open-water swimmers (OW swimmers) are the ability to swim at high percentage of  (80–90%) for many hours. Furthermore, to sustain high velocity for many hours, endurance swimmers need a high propelling efficiency and a low energy cost. Conclusion: Open-water races may be characterized by extreme environmental conditions (water temperature, tides, currents, and waves) that have an overall impact on performance, influencing tactics and pacing. Future studies are needed to study OWS in both training and competition.

Wetsuit Use During Open Water Swimming. Does It “Suit” Everybody? A Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Claudio Quagliarotti ◽  
Matteo Cortesi ◽  
Giorgio Gatta ◽  
Marco Bonifazi ◽  
Paola Zamparo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Computer Search ◽  
Swimming Ability ◽  
Screening Process ◽  
Rates Of Change ◽  
Online Databases ◽  
Open Water Swimming ◽  
Published Research

Purpose: Although wearing a wetsuit while swimming, when permitted, is primarily for safety reasons (ie, to protect against hypothermia), changes in buoyancy, biomechanics, and exercise performance have been reported. This narrative review covers the benefits of different wetsuit models on performance in swimming and triathlon. Methods: A computer search of online databases was conducted to locate relevant published research until March 2021. After the screening process, 17 studies were selected for analysis. Results: Most of the selected studies involved pool swimmers or triathletes completing short or middle distances in a pool while using a full or a long sleeveless wetsuit. Swimming with wetsuit elicited significant improvements in performance (maximum 11%), mainly by decreasing drag and energy cost, by increasing buoyancy, and by affecting technique. Different rates of change in each factor were found according to swimming ability and wetsuit model. In addition, wearing a wetsuit was often rated as uncomfortable by athletes. Conclusions: Although improvement in swimming performance by wearing a wetsuit has been reported in the literature, the amplitude of the improvement remains questionable. The enhancement in swimming performance is attributable merely to improvements in propulsion proficiency and buoyancy, as well as a reduction in drag. The extent to which athletes are familiar with the use of a wetsuit, their swimming ability, and the wetsuit model may play important roles in this improvement. More studies simulating competition and comparing elite versus nonelite athletes are needed.

scholarly journals RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OPEN-WATER SWIMMING PERFORMANCE AND AEROBIC CAPACITY

2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 443-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
IKUMI KOBAYASHI ◽  
MAKOTO AYABE ◽  
DAICHI SUZUKI ◽  
HISASHI NAITO ◽  
JUNICHIRO AOKI
Keyword(s):  
Aerobic Capacity ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Open Water Swimming

Open Water Swimming Performance

2015 ◽  
pp. 313-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reira Hara ◽  
Isao Muraoka
Keyword(s):  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Open Water Swimming

PHYSIOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF OPEN-WATER SWIMMING PERFORMANCE.

1980 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. S104
Author(s):  
C. J. Cisar ◽  
C. M. Phillips ◽  
W. P. Russum
Keyword(s):  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Open Water Swimming

scholarly journals Analysis of the physical development and somatotype of girls and females involved into dancing and gymnastic sports

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-81
Author(s):  
L.V. Podrigalo ◽  
H.P. Artemieva ◽  
O.A. Rovnaya ◽  
A.D. Panshyna ◽  
L.A. Ruban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Specific Gravity ◽  
Visceral Fat ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Physical Development ◽  
The Body ◽  
Fat Tissue ◽  
Water Composition ◽  
Fat Composition ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Purpose: the comparative analysis of the physical development and somatotype of girls and females involved in dancing and gymnastic sports (acrobatic rock and roll, sports aerobics) Material: The study involved 45 girls and females. Group 1 - acrobatic rock and roll (n = 25, age - 13.00 ± 0.41 years); Group 2 - sports aerobics (n = 20, age - 19.70 ± 0.59 years). It was determined the length and body weight. It was evaluated the level and harmony of physical development. The bioimpedance method was applied to determine the composition of muscle and fat tissue, the level of visceral fat. It was evaluated the body mass index, water composition in the body. The results are evaluated by applying parametric and non-parametric statistical indicators. Results: the average level of physical development dominates in athletes. Its specific gravity is: group 1 - (64.00 ± 9.60)%; group 2 - (50 ± 11.18)%. Rather high prevalence of the level below the average: group 1 - (20.00 ± 8.00)%; group 2 - (25.00 ± 9.68)%. The proportion of athletes with harmonious development was: group 1 - (64.00 ± 9.60)%; group 2 - (50.00 ± 11.18)%. The disharmony of physical development due to overweight: group 1 - (20.00 ± 8.00)%; group 2 - (30.00 ± 10.25)%. The disharmony of development due to underweight: group 1 - (16.00 ± 7.33)%; group 2 - (20.00 ± 8.94)%. The average values of fat tissue reflect its normal composition in both groups. In group 1, was determined the normal for the age fat composition in (52.00 ± 9.99)%; low level of fat had (48.00 ± 9.99)%. In group 2, the normal fat composition was found in (75.00 ± 9.68)%. The increased fat composition was (15.00 ± 7.98)% of female athletes. The reduced fat composition was (10.00 ± 7.61)% of female athletes. The level of visceral fat in athletes of group 2 was within the age norm. Female athletes of group 1 were characterized by virtually no visceral fat. The specific gravity of muscle tissue in all athletes was above the average for this age group. Group water composition in both groups was average. Conclusions: Most athletes have an average harmonious physical development. Deviations of physical development are most often associated with underweight. It is determined the increase in the composition of muscle mass above the average age standards for all female athletes. The composition of fat tissue in 52% of female athletes of the younger group corresponded to the average value. The rest of the athletes had a fat composition below normal. In the older group: 75% of athletes had an average fat composition; 15% of athletes had a reduced fat composition; 10% of athletes had a high fat composition. It was determined the significant differences between groups. The female athletes of group 1 had smaller values of body length, body weight, the specific gravity of fat tissue and visceral fat, body water composition, and body mass index. Females of group 1 had a big specific gravity of muscle tissue. The application of the bioimpedance method has significantly expanded the data obtained in the analysis of anthropometric indicators and indices. This method can be recommended for monitoring the functional condition of athletes dancing and gymnastic sports.

scholarly journals Swimrun: An emerging new endurance sport

2018 ◽  
pp. 53-58
Author(s):  
Romuald Lepers ◽  
François-Xavier Li ◽  
Paul James Stapley
Keyword(s):  
Open Water ◽  
Endurance Sport ◽  
Time Performance ◽  
Performance Trends ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Open Water Swimming ◽  
The Difference ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Trail Running

The swimrun is a new endurance team-sport based on two persons swimming and running alternatively through open water and mostly trails. The aim of this study was to analyse participation and performance trends for males, females and mixed duo team at the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun race (10 km open-water swimming and 65 km trail running). During the 2012–2016 period, the mean total time performance of the best athletes at the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun decreased significantly by 17 min/year for males, 40 min/year for mixed and 59 min/year for females duo, respectively. The difference in performance between the best males and females duo (26 ± 15%) was significantly greater compared to the difference between males and mixed duo (12 ± 8%). The number of swimrun races organized across the world has dramatically increased these last years and will probably continue to grow up in the future. Swimrun athletes are still not very experienced, thus both improvements in performance and reduction in sex difference are expected in the next decade.

scholarly journals The age-related changes and sex difference in master swimming performance

2019 ◽  
pp. 29-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beat Knechtle ◽  
Tiago M. Barbosa ◽  
Pantelis Theo Nikolaidis
Keyword(s):  
Sex Difference ◽  
Human Performance ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Master Athletes ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Performance Decline ◽  
Open Water Swimming ◽  
Age Related Changes

Master athletes have been widely used to examine the age-induced decline of human performance. However, so far very limited reviews are available consolidating the age-related differences in master swimming performance. The aim of the present review was to summarize existing knowledge about the age-related changes in three modalities of swimming performance (i.e., pool-swimming, open-water swimming and swim split in triathlons of different distances). In addition, the paradigm of freestyle swimming records from 50 to 1500 m was used to examine age-related differences and sex difference in performance for age groups 25–29 to 100–104 years. For this example of master freestyle swimmers, the sex difference was smaller in the longer events and increased significantly after the age of ∼70 years. In summary, master athletes competing in swimming as single discipline (i.e., pool-swimming and open-water) and in triathlon (i.e., swim split as first discipline) improved their performances across calendar years. The age-related performance decline in swimming seems to be specific to the discipline, the sex and the length of the swimming event.

scholarly journals How cold is too cold? Establishing the minimum water temperature limits for marathon swim racing

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (17) ◽  
pp. 1078-1084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Saycell ◽  
Mitch Lomax ◽  
Heather Massey ◽  
Mike Tipton
Keyword(s):  
Water Temperature ◽  
Thermal Sensation ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Linear Rate ◽  
Metabolic Heat ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Open Water Swimming ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Competitive Swimmers

ObjectivesTo provide a rationale for minimum water temperature rules for elite and subelite marathon swim racing and highlight factors that make individuals vulnerable to excessive cooling during open water swimming.Methods12 lean competitive swimmers swam for up to 2 hours, three times in different water temperatures between 14°C and 20°C, wearing standard swimming costumes and hats. Rectal temperature (Tre), oxygen consumption, perception of cold and performance were measured.ResultsIn 16°C, half the swimmers did not complete a 2-hour swim; four became (or were predicted to become) hypothermic within 2 hours. In 18°C, three-quarters completed the swim; three became (or were predicted to become) hypothermic. In 20°C, one swimmer was predicted to become hypothermic in under 2 hours. The mean linear rate of fall of Tre was greater in 16°C (−1.57°C/hour) than 18°C (−1.07°C/hour) (p=0.03). There was no change in swimming performance during the swims or between conditions. Most of the cooling rate could be explained by metabolic heat production and morphology for both 16°C (R2=0.94, p<0.01) and 18°C (R2=0.82, p<0.01) conditions. No relationship was observed between Tre and perception of thermal sensation (r=0.25, p=0.13), and there was a weak correlation between Tre and thermal comfort (r=0.32, p=0.04).ConclusionWe recommend that 16°C and 18°C water are too cold for elite marathon swim racing. FédérationInternationale de Natation rules were changed in 2017 to make wetsuits compulsory below 18°C and optional below 20°C.

PHYSIOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF OPEN-WATER SWIMMING PERFORMANCE.

1989 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. S104
Author(s):  
C. J. Cisar ◽  
C. M. Phillips ◽  
W. P. Russum
Keyword(s):  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Open Water Swimming
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