Effects of Dry Land Speed Training on 100-Meter Freestyle Swimming in Adolescent Swimming

Background and Aim: The specific strength development in swimming tends to start at a younger age, so it becomes particularly important to conduct effective Specific strength training during adolescence. It is essential to utilize training methods and means that align with the developmental characteristics of Specific strengths in young swimmers. Thus, this study has developed a specific dry-land training program to enhance the 100-meter freestyle swimming speed of adolescent swimmers. Methods: This study selected 30 male adolescent swimmers from the Shaanxi Provincial Swimming Team and divided them into an experimental group and a control group (15 individuals in each group) based on their 100-meter freestyle speed. Both groups underwent a 12-week training intervention, with 12 training sessions per week, each lasting 2 hours. The total training time and water-based training content were the same for both groups, but the content of dry-land training differed. The experimental group followed a specific dry-land training program, while the control group followed a traditional training program. Comprehensive tests were conducted before and after the 12-week training intervention for both groups, using the physical fitness and test scores of swimmers in the experimental and control groups as research indicators. Experimental and analytical methods, including experimental and statistical methods, were employed to conduct a targeted study on the changes in physical fitness and test scores before and after the training. Results: show that after 12 weeks of training, the scores for both groups are as follows: Pull-ups (Experimental group: P=0.000<0.01, Control group: P=0.777>0.05), Vertical jump (Experimental group: P=0.032<0.05, Control group: P=0.848>0.05), Abdominal muscle endurance (Experimental group: P=0.000<0.01, Control group: P=0.396>0.05), and Back muscle endurance (Experimental group: P=0.004<0.01, Control group: P=0.583>0.05). The post-test results reveal that swimmers in the experimental group performed significantly better in pull-ups, vertical jumps, abdominal muscle endurance, and back muscle endurance compared to the control group. Conclusion: The specialized training program effectively increased the upper limb strength of the participants, with no significant advantage over the traditional training program.