Project information

Working hypothesis

We hypothesise that the application of appropriate warm-up strategies may improve swimming performance through the PAPE effect, and that the origin of the adaptations —neuromuscular, physiological and/or technical— could be better verified and controlled through up-to-date instruments and procedures.

Objectives

Specific objectives

1. OE1

   Explore the state of the art on warm-up protocols in swimming and other sports, in order to identify the main approaches likely to trigger PAPE responses. Our working hypothesis is that swimmers might respond better to lower-intensity, longer-duration protocols than to high-load, high-intensity ones, since the latter might trigger an increase in muscular stiffness. Accordingly, one option could be to include stretching protocols prior to the warm-up. In addition, we will adapt the performance models compiled in 50 m pools during the previous projects (SWIM I and SWIM II) to 25 m pools, using data collected at recent short-course championships (Spanish Championship 2022, European Championship 2019 and World Championship 2022). Our hypothesis is that the development of specific 25 m pool models will enable better swimming performance in these events.

2. OE2

   Validate and study the reliability of the newly acquired instruments, as well as standardise the performance assessment protocols to be followed throughout the project. Although the project will use procedures widely reported in the literature (physiological, technical assessment, etc.), it will also incorporate new resources never previously used in swimming, such as the Myo-Quality® system for measuring neuromuscular capacity and the NAGI® positioning system, including its swimming-pool version (Smart Pool), recently installed in our faculty.

3. OE3

   Define the load–velocity and load–power profile in water with the Myo-Quality® system, and study its relationship with performance in competition (see reports from previous SWIM I and II projects) and with two neuromuscular tests performed out of the water (pull-ups and countermovement jumps). The hypothesis is that sprinters and distance swimmers will obtain different load–velocity profiles, which would allow better characterisation of performance models for each group in competition, and finer adjustment of training loads during strength sessions based on dry-land test results.

4. OE4

   Determine the technical (100 m freestyle and individual stroke tests recorded simultaneously with the ASPA and NAGI® systems) and physiological (VO₂, HR and [La⁻] after the 100 m test) adaptations after: (a) a warm-up consisting of 3 × 5 maximal repetitions of resistance band pulls and 3 × 5 countermovement jumps; (b) a static stretching protocol (2 × 30 s per muscle group of upper and lower limbs) prior to protocol (a). Based on previous evidence [ref. 11], the hypothesis is that these protocols will produce PAPE responses verified by observable technical and/or physiological adaptations.

5. OE5

   Determine the neuromuscular (in-water power test with the Myo-Quality® system) and physiological (VO₂, heart rate and [La⁻]) adaptations after the most efficient PAPE protocol (as determined in OE4). Based on previous evidence [refs. 7, 25], the hypothesis is that these protocols will produce PAPE responses verified by observable neuromuscular and/or physiological adaptations.

6. OE6

   Study the physiological and technical adaptations produced in two repetitions of 400 m freestyle performed at the same intensity, when the test is conducted without warm-up and with the best-performing PAPE protocol identified in OE4 and OE5. The hypothesis is that for middle-distance events (400 m), PAPE effects could improve performance in terms of efficiency (physiological and technical improvements without necessarily changing the final time).

7. OE7

   Disseminate the results through academic and non-academic channels, providing a transfer of services.

Previous team results

International collaborations

• U. of PortoR. Fernandes · R. Zacca
• Reykjavik U.J. Saavedra
• National Institute of Education, SingaporeT. Barbosa
• U. of SydneyR. Sanders · J. Andersen
• Polytechnic Institute of LeiriaP. Morouço
• U. of ÉvoraN. Batalha
• KU LeuvenJ. Vanrenterghem
• Federal U. of Mato Grosso do SulD. Boullosa
• U. of CalgaryW. Herzog

Additional information about the lab: external repository ↗

Resources · facilities and equipment

The swimming pool at the Faculty of Sport Sciences of the University of Granada has been designed as a teaching and research facility unique in Spain. The complex comprises three aquatic facilities and four floor levels.

Aquatic facilities

Main pool

25 × 16.5 × 2.07 m · 8 lanes — Uniform depth. Four side windows every 5 m and two front windows between lanes 3, 4 and 5.

Teaching pool

12 × 6 × 1.20 m — Uniform depth. Dimensions suited to highly controlled assessments and experimental situations.

Counter-current swimming pool

3 × 2 × 1.2 m — Adjustable water flow speed. Facility prepared for all kinds of video instruments.

Floor layout

• Upper floor — Main laboratory, classroom, offices of the laboratory's faculty members, multipurpose room.
• Pool-level floor — Control room, recording controls, power-test instruments.
• Walkways at the upper level above the main pool — Accessible for instrument installation.
• Basement floor — Access to the underwater windows and pool treatment machinery.

Research group equipment

Isoinertial dynamometry

T-Force Dynamic Measurement System (Ergotech) on a Smith machine (Jim Sports Technology) and on a Concept2 ergometer.

Blood lactate

Three portable Lactate Pro 2 analysers (Arkray).

Swimming velocimeter

Heidenhain linear transducer.

Recording and video

HD Video Switcher V-1HD (Roland), Black Magic Video Assist, external robotic camera controller (PTZ) and high-quality video transmitters.

Automatic performance analysis

ASPA system (Automatic Swimming Performance Analysis) controlled by a centralised computer (Cooler Master) and NAGI® positioning system (Ebone, Murcia, Spain).

In-water kinetics

Load cell synchronised to a laptop (MSI K2008N0066625).

Timing and starts

Pool equipped with ALGE-Timing Racing Panels and three starting blocks with rear footrest and LED system to synchronise actions with the underwater and surface video cameras.

Institutionally licensed software

• Microsoft Office Suite (institutional licence)
• SPSS (statistical package)
• MATLAB
• Filemaker 19 (database)
• DataGraph + GraphClick (graphical representation)
• EndNote X9 (bibliographic management)
• Kwon 3D XP (biomechanical analysis)
• Software for linear encoders, load cells and video analysis

Photo gallery of facilities, protocols and laboratory publications (organised by topic, year and author): external repository ↗

References

The bibliography includes references related to the introduction and to the contributions made by project members. The AEI tag indicates contributions by the research team; the 50+ tag marks works with more than 50 citations.

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