Ten Days of Tapering Can Improve Swimming Records and Metabolic but Not Hematological Profile in Young Recreational Swimmers

Abstract

Abstract Aim: To investigate the effects of a 10-day tapering on the metabolic and hematologic changes and a 200 m crawl swimming record. Methods:Eighteen male recreational swimmers (11-17 years) underwent an eight-week vigorous-intensity endurance training (3 sessions per week, 90 minutes per session). Participants' swimming records were obtained at the end of the training period, and blood samples were drawn. After that, the taper group (TP) underwent a 10-day taper program (training volume reduced by 15%, 30%, 45%, and 60% in the first four sessions and 70% in the last session), while the control group (CG) kept their training load. At the end of the tapering period, 200 m crawl swimming time was recorded, and a blood sample was collected to assess metabolic and hematologic factors. Results: 200 m swimming record was improved in the TP (149±17s) compared to the Co (173±21s) (p < 0.05). In addition, creatine phosphokinase, creatinine, urea, uric acid, and lactate dehydrogenase significantly decreased after tapering (p < 0.05). However, hematological factors did not show any significant changes between groups. Furthermore, no significant correlation between swimming records and measured parameters was found. Conclusion: Our results showed that ten days of tapering could improve the 200 m swimming record and metabolic but not the hematological profile in young male recreational swimmers.