The beneficial effects of dryland training on prepubertal swimmers – a case study

Abstract

Abstract. Dryland training is an important part of any competitive swimmer’s programme. However, this non-specific training is usually neglected in prepubertal swimmers, its importance being recognised more often in junior and senior swimmers. This paper is a case study regarding the beneficial effects that a well-developed and suitable dryland training programme can have on a prepubertal swimmer’s results. The participant in this case study was a Romanian male swimmer born in 2010, who got the highest score at the National Championships in 2020. The detailed dryland programme (developed by the author of the current study) was followed by the athlete for a period of 7 months. The implementation of this programme took place between two national championships (October 2020 - June 2021). The specific objectives were: winning the title of national champion in 50-meter butterfly and making a progress of 2 seconds; ranking among the top three swimmers in 100-meter freestyle and making a progress of 4 seconds. After applying the programme, the athlete made a progress of 2.57 seconds and won first place in 50-meter butterfly. In 100-meter freestyle, he made a progress of 6.34 seconds and won second place. This paper emphasises the beneficial effects of an organised dryland training programme and also proposes a model of such a plan that can be followed by prepubertal swimmers.