Effects of increased training volume during a ten-day training camp on competitive performance in national level youth swimmers

BACKGROUND. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of increased training volume during a 10-day training camp on competitive performance and internal training load (ITL). In addition, coach and swimmer rating of perceived exertion (RPE) for each session was compared. METHODS. Ten national level swimmers (gender: 4 males and 6 females; age: 15±1 years; height: 170.5±6.4 cm; body mass: 61.4±7.4 kg) participated in the training camp which involved a 36% increase in swimming volume. Competitive performance, as assessed using the FPS (FINA points system), was recorded pre and post-camp. ITL was recorded using the Session-RPE method and RESTQ-52 Sport questionnaire for each session and for day 1, 5 and 10 of the camp, respectively. Coach RPE was recorded after each training session for coach-swimmer RPE comparisons. RESULTS. Competitive performance increased by 7.1% from pre-camp to post-camp (P=0.001, dz=1.6). Session-RPE increased between day 1 and all other days of the training camp (P<0.05), except day 6 (P=0.221). The injury scale of the RESTQ questionnaire increased from day 1 to day 5 (P=0.022). Across 16 swimming sessions, there was a strong correlation between coach and swimmer RPE (rs=0.76) however RPE was found to be higher for the swimmers than the coach (P.0.0005) during moderate training sessions. CONCLUSIONS. These findings suggest that a 36% increase in swimming volume during a 10 day training camp resulted in significant changes to competitive performance and ITL. However, coach and swimmer RPE should be monitored closely during future camps.