ORIGINAL ARTICLE  EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOMECHANICS 

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2017 June;57(6):744-51

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.16.06338-6

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Core strengthening and synchronized swimming: TRX® suspension training in young female athletes

Amalia TINTO ¹, Marta CAMPANELLA ², Milena FASANO ³ ✉

¹ Faculty of Motor and Sport Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; ² Gymnastics Federation of Italy (FGI), Turin, Italy; ³ Italian Swimming Federation (FIN), Rome, Italy

BACKGROUND: Developing muscle strength and full body stability is essential for the efficient execution of technical moves in synchronized swimming. However, many swimmers find it difficult to control body stability while executing particular figures in water. We evaluated the effects of TRX® suspension training (2 sessions weekly for 6 months on core strength and core stability in young female.
METHODS: Twenty synchronized swimmers (Beginners A category, mean age 10±1 years) are divided in experimental group (EG; N.=10 athletes) and control group (CG; N.=10 athletes). EG received suspension training twice weekly (each session lasting about 15 min) as dryland exercises for 6 months in addition to routine training. CG completed routine training with conventional dryland exercises. Before (T1) and after (T2) completion of the study oblique and transversus abdominis muscle force was measured using a Stabilizer Pressure Biofeedback unit, in prone and supine positions, and isotonic muscle endurance was evaluated with the McGill Test.
RESULTS: Non-parametric statistical analysis showed a significant increase (P<0.0001) in the majority of the parameters in the experimental group.
CONCLUSIONS: The study results provide evidence for the benefit of integrating TRX® suspension training in dryland exercises for muscle strengthening in young athletes practicing synchronized swimming, and in general reiterates the importance of strengthening the core area to ensure stability and specific adaptations, improve the quality of the movement and prevent against injury.

KEY WORDS: Swimming - Exercise movement techniques - Posture