Comparing the effect of short-term detraining on athletic performance of elite competitive children and adolescent swimmers

Optimum functioning of the competitive swimmers depends on the adaptations in power and strength of superficial, upper and lower limbs and interaction with core stabilizing muscles of the body. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of short periods of detraining on exercise performance of elite competitive children and adolescents swimmers.
In this prospective cohort study, 48 female participants with a history of more than 2 years (Damash Team) of professional exercise at Alborz province were selected based on available sampling and were assigned into 2 equal groups of children and adolescents based on their age. During the two periods, dependent variables, endurance of the trunk flexors, lateralis and flexors of the trunk, strength of the trunk muscles, dynamic balance and the performance of the swimmers (50 and 100 m) were evaluated.
Comparison of the results for swimming speed (50 m) showed a significant difference between the adolescent and children groups (P=0.001). In addition, total endurance of trunk muscles, power of trunk muscles and the dynamic balance in adolescents showed a significant difference (P=0.01), but the dynamic balance and swimming speed (50 and 100 m) were significant only in the children group (P=0.001).
A 25-day detraining period results in a considerable alteration in the trunk muscle function, balance, and exercise performance of the competitive swimmers, especially among the children.