Physiological Restoration and Improvement in Physical Performance in Response to a Taper Period in Young Swimmers

• Published in: Journal of exercise physiology online Vol. 20; no. 4; p. 36
• Main Authors: Padilhas, Orranete Pereira, Scares, Ytalo Mota, da Silva, Raquel Suelen Brito, Pereira, Reabias de Andrade, Lima, Fabiano Ferreira, Neto, Manoel Miranda, Silva, Maria Gercica Magna, Felix, Gustavo da Silva, Guimaraes, Keyth Sulamitta de Lima, Silva, Alexandre Sergio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Duluth American Society of Exercise Physiologists 01-08-2017
• Subjects: Analysis; Health aspects; Mood (Psychology); Physiological aspects; Physiology; Questionnaires; Stress (Physiology); Swimmers; Swimming
• ISSN: 1097-9751; 1097-9751

Padilhas OP, Soares YM, Silva RSB, Pereira RA, Lima FF, Miranda Neto M, Silva MGM, Felix GS, Guimaraes KSL, Silva AS. Physiological Restoration and Improvement in Physical Performance in Response to a Taper Period in Young Swimmers. JEPonline 2017;20(4):36-45. The purpose of this study was to determine if 2 wks of taper is sufficient to promote physiological restoration and improvement in the physical performance of young swimmers. Thirty days before, the 1 st day, and on the 15th day of the taper, 6 athletes (4 females and 2 males) 14.5 [+ or -] 1.4 yrs of age were selected because of their national level performance. Each subject was evaluated for markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase, CK and lactate dehydrogenase, LDH), systemic inflammation (us-CRP and Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, AGP) and liver activity (AST and ALT). They completed a questionnaire for mood state (POMS), and then swam a 100-m free style test. The taper was exponential with slow decay. The athletes engaged the taper period before a national championship as part of a macrocycle of 6 months. Although LDH decreased significantly (39%; P = 0.006), there were no changes in CK, markers of inflammation and liver activity, mood, or training distress scale, and no change in the 100-m free style time. The findings indicate that the 2 wks of taper restored levels of muscular damage, but did not improve the swimmers' physical performance. Key Words: Athletic Performance, Recovery, Swimming