Improvement of Swimmers’ Physical Fitness

Abstract

The article presents the results of an experimental study aimed at improving the physical fitness of youth swimmers through the implementation of a comprehensive functionally-oriented training program. The relevance of the topic is determined by the need to ensure the harmonious development of key motor abilities that define performance efficiency in the specific conditions of the aquatic environment. The aim of the study was to justify and experimentally verify the effectiveness of improving swimmers’ physical fitness through the implementation of differentiated training methods, taking into account the morphofunctional characteristics of athletes and the specificity of competitive activities. The object of the study was the process of physical training of athletes specializing in swimming. The subject of the study was the structure, dynamics, and results of physical fitness among swimmers of different specializations under the influence of a comprehensive training improvement program. The developed program combined sprint interval workloads, hypoxic breathing exercises, plyometric complexes, core muscle stabilization training, sensorimotor stimulation tools, and respiratory endurance drills. To evaluate the outcomes, a system of pedagogical testing was used, including a 25 m sprint, standing long jump, breath-holding test, plank hold, and balance on an unstable platform.The experiment revealed statistically significant improvements in the indicators of the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.01). In particular, time to cover the distance decreased, explosive power improved, hypoxic tolerance significantly increased, as did core stabilization and coordination abilities. The study confirms the effectiveness of a functionally-variative training model, which not only enhances the overall physical readiness of swimmers but also enables the adaptation of training loads to the individual morphofunctional characteristics of athletes.