PMID 36636176

Research
All papers

The effect of combining HIIT and dry-land training on strength, technique, and 100-m butterfly swimming performance in age-group swimmers: a randomized controlled trial

Amara S, Hammami R, Zacca R, Mota J, Negra Y, Chortane SG

Question

Does combining swim HIIT with maximum dry-land strength training improve strength, technique, and 100 m butterfly performance in age-group swimmers?

Summary

In 22 male national-level adolescent butterfly swimmers, 8 weeks of higher-volume swim HIIT plus maximum strength training improved 100 m butterfly time, technique measures, and bench press and leg extension strength compared with usual lower-intensity, higher-volume training. The protocol is sport-specific and not directly applicable to general home users.

Methodology

  • 22 national-level male age-group butterfly swimmers.
  • 22 participants.
  • Swimming plus dry-land resistance training.
  • Work intervals: Short HIIT <30 s and moderate HIIT 30 s to 2 min.
  • Recovery: 1:1 between repetitions; 3 min between sets.
  • Intensity: >85% HRmax for swim HIIT; 85-95% 1RM for MST.
  • 6 swim sessions/week plus 2 MST sessions/week during weeks 1-6.
  • 8 weeks.
  • Randomized controlled trial with active usual-training control
  • 100 m butterfly performance, Muscle strength, and Technique were tracked.

Outcomes

100 m time

The experimental group improved 100 m butterfly performance; control did not.

EG 64.13 +/- 1.41 to 61.85 +/- 1.22 s; 3.55%; p=0.001; d=1.81.

Improved

Strength

Bench press and leg extension 1RM improved in the experimental group.

1RM BP +22.11%, p<0.001, d=3.25; 1RM LE +28.23%, p<0.001, d=3.61.

Improved

Technique

Velocity, stroke rate, stroke length, and stroke index improved in the experimental group.

Technique variables improved across first and second 50 m with p<0.05 to p<0.001.

Improved

Insights

  • Athlete HIIT may be programmed by distance and HRmax rather than time alone.
  • A taper can preserve intensity while reducing volume before performance testing.
  • This evidence is useful for sport-specific programming, not general consumer workouts.

Limitations

  • Small all-male athlete sample.
  • Multicomponent intervention prevents isolating HIIT effects.
  • No adverse-event or attendance details.
  • Specific to trained butterfly swimmers.

Safety

  • All participants were injury-free before preliminary practice.
  • The article did not report intervention adverse events.