Page 102 - JSOM Winter 2024

TABLE 3 Technical Performance Measures in 1000-m Surface Combat Swimming, Before and After the 4-Week Training Period Pre and Post
1000-m Surface Combat Swimming (sCS), in Kneeling Position, by Group
Period, mean (SD)
Before training After training
Pre 1000-m sCS Post 1000-m sCS Pre 1000-m sCS Post 1000-m sCS
CG SF UE CG SF UE CG SF UE CG SF UE
COG, % 84.1 77.8 76.3 78.9 74.7 73.5 75.5 83.6 85.5 75.8 80.5 78.8
(11.2) (11.5) (18.4) (14.1)* (15.8)* (15.1)* (18.2) (10.3) (7.3) (13.4)* (8.2)* (8.9)*
X-dev, cm 1.83 1.85 2.08 2.16 2.17 2.30 1.85 1.58 1.89 2.40 1.84 2.26
(0.61) (0.46) (0.74) (0.63)* (0.66)* (0.74)* (0.57) (0.43) (0.62) (0.70)* (0.50)* (0.70)*
Y-dev, cm 1.29 1.22 1.15 1.21 1.19 1.54 1.24 0.97 1.14 1.45 1.19 1.40
(0.49) (0.65) (0.45) (0.50)* (0.41)* (0.64)* (0.53) (0.31) (0.45) (0.46)* (0.36)* (0.38)*
Target hold, s 3.10 4.05 3.55 3.50 3.65 3.51 4.35 3.77 3.60 4.35 3.31 3.26
(1.13) (1.64) (1.30) (1.09) (1.41) (1.17) (2.23) (1.57) (0.96) (2.14) (1.10) (1.82)
Total shooting 3.31 4.51 3.81 3.80 3.88 3.85 4.87 4.11 3.67 4.52 3.51 3.13
time, s (1.17) (2.27) (1.38) (1.24) (1.48) (1.44) (2.62) (1.70) (0.95) (2.20) (1.24) (1.13)
Interval 6.39 8.39 7.27 7.28 6.83 6.83 11.4 7.06 6.34 8.54 6.47 5.70
between shots, s (2.09) (5.84) (3.79) (3.50)* (2.17)* (2.01)* (6.24) (2.63) (1.39) (3.72)* (1.59)* (1.56)*
RTV, AU 0.96 1.13 1.01 1.02 1.13 1.17 1.07 1.06 0.95 1.00 1.05 1.00
(0.20) (020) (0.14) (0.21) (0.28) (0.23) (0.18) (0.17) (0.14) (0.17) (0.21) (0.19)
*Significant differences before and after 1000 m surface combat swimming, P<.05.
COG = center of gravity; X-dev = deviation of the shots in the horizontal axis; Y-dev = deviation of the shots in the vertical axis; RTV = relative
triggering value of the shots; CG = control group.

for standing and kneeling, respectively). Finally, the RTV was as participants showed improved performance in their famil-
not affected by the 1000-m sCS nor by the training. The SF iarized conditions, such as training with swimsuits and fins
and UE groups did not show any significant differences in the or uniforms and equipment. This observation is consistent
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above performance or shooting variables. with the idea that resistance training that emulates swimming
movements is more effective in enhancing swimming perfor-
mance. In addition, it was reported that while the predic-
26
Discussion
tor of 500-m front crawl swimming performance is maximal
The present study explored the effect of a 4-week sCS training oxygen uptake, the 500-m sCS performance predictor is the
27
program on 1000-m sCS and shooting ability. The sCS train- isometric force of hip extensors. Although we measured only
ing program, independently by the use of equipment through- performance, we may suggest that in the UE group the adap-
out the training period, improved performance in 1000-m sCS. tations were directed mainly to the muscles (shorter distance
The shooting ability in both standing and kneeling positions covered, higher resistance to propel the body), while for the
remained unchanged post the sCS training. SF group the improvement resulted from the movement effi-
ciency (longer distance covered, lower resistance). Future re-
All groups appear to have performed maximally in 1000-m search should focus on experienced surface combat swimmers
sCS, as shown by the values of the RPE, heart rate, and blood and the impact of equipment-based and non–equipment-based
lactate immediately after the trial. Studies show that in swim- training on combat swimming. Also of interest would be a
ming, RPE is linked to distance covered and fatigue develop- mixed sCS training program with and without equipment, as
ment. 22,23 In addition, the heart rate was close to 90% of the dry land studies have shown that mixed training programs can
respective age-predicted maximum. Finally, the high lactate be much more effective than traditional training programs for
values in the present study confirm the participants’ maximal military personnel. For example, the load-carrying capacity
intensity of exercise. 24,25 was maximized when a simulated activity session was incor-
1
porated into the training process. Finally, although the 4-week
The performance time in 1000-m sCS was similar between the training period was relatively short, there was an improvement
SF and UE groups, but we considered that this improvement in performance. Similar results with a shorter training interval
resulted from different mechanisms. In the SF group, the ma- (3 weeks) on land are also reported in U.S. Navy SEALS. 28
jor factor of the improved performance was familiarization
with the swimming stroke and effective propulsion of the As a recent study in the aquatic environment has shown, and
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body in water (although no correction instructions for such in agreement with similar studies on dry land, 15–17,29 fatigue
improvement were given). The UE group trained with greater negatively affected the shooting ability. The key factors that
resistance because of uniform and equipment; therefore, the contributed to this decrease were the increase in the horizontal
improvement resulted from both, swimming stroke improve- and vertical movement of the weapon and the reduction of
ment and higher muscle tension. It should be emphasized that the time between the shots. It seems that fatigue caused by the
in every training session, the UE, compared with SF group, 1000-m sCS had the same effect after the training period. This
covered a shorter distance at similar total time of training. A shows that after the 4 weeks of training, despite the improved
4-week training was used in a previous study to investigate performance, similar levels of fatigue had the same negative
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the sCS training effect in 400-m front-crawl swimming and effect on shooting parameters, resulting in a similar reduction
250- (with uniform and equipment) and 350-m (with swimsuit in shooting ability. To what extent the shooting ability can be
and fins) sCS iso-time trials (i.e., trials with the same duration). improved in an iso-time trial after the training, remains to be
The results confirmed that specialized training was effective, investigated.

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