Changes in thrust force in swimmers in the annual training cycle

Abstract Study aim: Determination of changes in thrust force and effect size of training load in swimmers using four swimming strokes monitored 4 times a year. Material and methods: Five elite male swimmers were examined in a training macrocycle of 9 months. The swimmers were examined four times: at baseline (September), immediately after the winter Polish Championships (December), at the end of the transition period (March), and immediately after the summer Polish Championships (late May). Results: In all participants, significant differences in strength (p < 0.001) were observed between measurements I and II (p < 0.001) and between measurements I and IV (p < 0.001). Athletes specializing in the 200 m were characterized by a smaller decline in thrust force. Athletes specializing in breaststroke had significantly higher (p < 0.001) thrust values than the other participants. Conclusions: It is suggested that the trainers measure the thrust during the preparatory period in order to verify the applied training loads aimed at developing strength, as well as during the starting period to verify the competitor’s strength level in correlation with the sports result.