Sports science application: examples of research that has driven best practice in Swimming
Optimising Recovery, Supplementation for Performance, and Process Goals for Race Performance
Enhancing Swimming Performance with Science and Practice Integration
The following resource was delivered by European Aquatics as a part of their satellite Coaching Clinic event “bridging the gap between science and training”
Overview
This brief explores key findings from a presentation by British swimming expert Mike Peyrebrune, focusing on how scientific research has been used to improve swimming performance in the UK. The talk highlights three major areas: recovery methods, sodium bicarbonate supplementation, and process goals in race performance. The video offers practical insights for coaches and swimmers on integrating science into daily training for better outcomes.
Key Communication Points:
- Optimising Recovery from High-Intensity Swimming
- Insight: Active recovery between sprints helps reduce blood lactate, but performance may still decline due to incomplete muscle recovery.
- Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation for Performance
- Insight: Sodium bicarbonate can enhance performance by buffering lactic acid, allowing athletes to perform high-intensity exercises for longer.
- Process Goals for Race Performance
- Insight: Focusing only on outcome (e.g., times, medals) can create stress for athletes. Shifting focus to process goals like technique and pacing helps reduce pressure and improve performance.
- Tip: Introduce process-based feedback early in an athlete's development to instill long-term performance improvement habits.
Watch the Full Video: Link to video
This presentation is an excellent resource for swimming coaches and athletes looking to apply scientific research to training and race performance, offering practical steps for improvement.