Background: Combining pool-based and resistance workouts, both in the pool and on dry land, is a valuable approach to enhancing swimming performance. However, few investigations have been conducted on this topic. Through a randomized controlled trial study, we investigated the effects of a 10-week concurrent resistance training program, which integrated resistance workouts both in the pool and on dry land on tethered force, lower limbs strength, anaerobic critical velocity, and swimming performance, in regional age-group breaststroke swimmers. Methods: Regional age-group swimmers (N = 24, males) were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group (EG: 15.1 ± 0.5 years old) performed combined pool-based + resistance workouts, both in the pool and on dry land. The control group (CG: 15.1 ± 0.7 years old) performed their usual training regime, i.e., pool-based + resistance workouts on dry land only. The tethered swimming force, muscular strength, anaerobic critical velocity, and swimming performance and technique of the swimmers were evaluated before the training program began and after 10 weeks. Results: Improvements were observed in the EG vs. the CG in terms of the mean force (30.04%, p = 0.02; d = 0.75), one-repetition maximum back squat (20.57%, p = 0.01; d = 2.05), maximal force (19.23%, p = 0.03; d = 0.69), and anaerobic critical velocity (4.2%, p = 0.04; d = 0.61). The 50 and 200 m breaststroke performance times improved (4.3 and 5.4%, p = 0.01, d = 0.88–0.92, respectively) after 10 weeks. Conclusions: With the increasing demands of contemporary swimming competitions, which often include heats, semifinals, and finals, achieving optimal physical fitness to compete at an elite level, in every round, is vital for swimmers. The combination of resistance training workouts both in the pool and on dry land seems to enhance swimming performance in age-group swimmers, particularly in sprint to middle-distance breaststroke swimmers.

Background: Concentric knee and trunk strength may contribute differently to maximal force and stretch-shortening cycle performance in youth sailors. This study evaluated the predictive value of concentric knee and trunk isokinetic strength for these outcomes in highly trained youth Optimist sailors. Methods: Forty highly trained Optimist sailors (20 boys and 20 girls; age, 13.03 ± 1.40 years) completed knee and trunk isokinetic testing at 60°·s⁻¹ and 180°·s⁻¹, isometric mid-thigh pull, squat jump, and countermovement jump tests. Velocity-specific multiple linear regression models included a composite of dominant and nondominant knee extensor and flexor strength, trunk extensor strength, trunk flexor strength, and sex. Results: The models explained 60.7% and 49.4% of the variance in isometric mid-thigh pull peak force at 60°·s⁻¹ and 180°·s⁻¹, respectively. The knee strength composite was independently associated with peak force at both velocities (β = 0.51, p = 0.003; β = 0.56, p = 0.006). The models explained 1.3–3.5% of dynamic strength index variance and 17.8% and 4.5% of eccentric utilization ratio and elastic index variance at 60°·s⁻¹ and 180°·s⁻¹, respectively. Trunk flexor strength was associated with eccentric utilization ratio and elastic index at 60°·s⁻¹ (β = 0.52, p = 0.029), although these outcomes are mathematically dependent. Sex was not associated with any outcome. Conclusions: Concentric isokinetic strength showed greater predictive value for maximal force than for stretch-shortening cycle performance. Combined knee extensor and flexor strength was consistently associated with maximal force, whereas limited variance was explained in stretch-shortening cycle outcomes.

Combining pool based + resistance workouts both in the pool and on dry land is a valuable ap-proach to enhance breaststroke swimming performance. However, few investigations have been conducted on this topic. Through a randomized controlled trial study, we investigated the effects of 10-week concurrent resistance training program, which integrates resistance workouts both in the pool and on dry land, on tethered force, lower limb strength, anaerobic critical velocity, and swimming performance in regional age-group breaststroke swimmers. Methods: Regional age-group swimmers (N = 24, males) were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group (EG: 15.1 ± 0.5 years old) performed combined pool based + resistance workouts both in the pool and on dry land. The control group (CG: 15.1 ± 0.7 years old) performed their usual training, i.e. pool based + resistance workouts on dry land only. Tethered swimming force, muscular strength, anaerobic critical velocity, and swimming performance and technique were evaluated before and after 10 weeks. Results: Improvements were observed in EG vs. CG in mean force (30.04%, p = 0.02; d = 0.75), one-repetition maximum back squat (20.57%, p = 0.01; d = 2.05), maximal force (19.23%, p = 0.03; d = 0.69), and anaerobic critical velocity (4.2%, p = 0.04; d = 0.61). The 50 and 200-m breaststroke performance times improved (4.3 and5.4%, p=0.01, d=0.88-0.92, respectively) for 10 weeks. Conclusion: With the increasing demands of contempo-rary swimming competitions, which often include heats, semifinals, and finals, achieving optimal physical fitness to compete at an elite level in every round is vital for swimmers. The combination of resistance training workouts both in the pool and on dry land seems to enhance swimming performance in age-group swimmers, particularly at sprint to middle distance breaststroke swimmers.

Understanding the distinct biomechanical and neuromuscular demands of aquatic sports is key to developing targeted training strategies for youth athletes. This study compared neuromuscular profiles between male youth Thai swimmers and Optimist sailors by examining the Dynamic Strength Index (DSI) in upper and lower limbs. A secondary aim was to assess the relationships between the biological maturity, estimated via 2D:4D digit ratios and predicted peak height velocity (PHV) and neuromuscular performance. Forty male athletes (n = 20 per group; mean age: swimmers = 12.9 ± 0.7, sailors = 13.3 ± 0.8 years) completed ballistic (Countermovement Jump, push-up) and isometric (Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull, grip strength) tests. Swimmers showed significantly greater neuromuscular output in both limbs, with higher CMJ peak force (mean diff: 339.78 N; p < 0.001, d = 1.64) and push-up force (mean diff: 135.26 N; p < 0.001, d = 1.51), resulting in higher lower-limb DSI (0.86 vs. 0.70; p < 0.01, d = 0.89). Two-way ANOVA revealed a significant limb effect (p < 0.001, η²_p = 0.631) and a sport × limb interaction (p = 0.002, η²_p = 0.104), indicating sport-specific neuromuscular adaptations. Correlational analysis showed positive associations between lower-limb DSI and right-hand digit lengths and a negative relationship with PHV. These results underscore the importance of tailoring strength training to the sport-specific and maturational profiles of male youth athletes.

The 1500 m freestyle is the longest swimming pool-based event in the Olympic Games, with race durations ~15 min (Fernandes et al., 2024; Pyne & Sharp, 2014). The literature typically focuses on pac...