Effect of dry-land strength training on swimming performance: A systematic review

Abstract

The aim of this study was to consolidate as many studies as possible and draw a general conclusion about the effects of dry-land strength and conditioning training on swimming performance. Accordingly, 16 studies were analyzed. Of that number, 14 studies looked at the direct effect of additional dryland strength training on swimming performance. One of them examined the effect of additional strength training on dry land on the swimming performance of Paralympic swimmers. Of the remaining 2 studies, one study examined the effect of additional dryland strength training on swimming turns, while the other examined the effect of additional dryland strength training on starting blocks. As a general conclusion of the study, we conclude that additional strength training on dry land has a positive effect on swimming performance, regardless of variable factors in terms of the type of training, age, gender and swimming level of the subject, if it is properly designed and implemented in practice. This conclusion came from the results of 12 analyzed studies in which a statistically significant improvement in swimming performance was recorded. In the 4 remaining studies, there was also a tendency to improve swimming performance or an improvement in some of the swimming performance, but this improvement in performance was not statistically significant, or the improvement in ability did not lead to an improvement in the final swimming performance.