MODELED RESPONSES TO TRAINING AND TAPER IN COMPETITIVE SWIMMERS

This study investigated the effect of training on performance and asse ssed the response to taper in elite swimmers (N = 18), using a mathema tical model that links training with performance and estimates the neg ative and positive influences of training, NI and PI. Variations in tr aining, performance, NI, and PI were studied during 3-, 4-, and 6-wk t apers. The fit between modeled and actual performance was significant for 17 subjects; r(2) ranged from 0.45 to 0.85, P < 0.05. Training was progressively reduced during tapers. Performance improved during the first two tapers: 2.90 +/- 1.50% (P < 0.01) and 3.20 +/- 1.70% (P < 0. 01). Performance improvement in the third taper was not significant (1 .81 +/- 1.73%). NI was reduced during the first two tapers (P < 0.01 a nd P < 0.05, respectively), but not during the third. PI did not chang e significantly during tapers. Thus, the present results show that the model used is a valuable method to describe the effects of training o n performance. Performance improvement during taper was attributed to a reduction in NI. PI did not improve with taper, but it was not compr omised by the reduced training periods.