Abstract:

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of interval training on the athletic performances of 9-12 years old swimmers in addition to the eight-week preparation stage. Athletes were split into two groups as the ones with performing branch specific swimming training (n=9) and the ones with performing interval training along with swimming training (n=11). Before and after training programs, 12-minutes Cooper test was applied to determine aerobic endurance in both groups. Wingate test was used for anaerobic measurements. Respiratory functions measurements were done with Spirometer. According to the results, level of body weight, body mass index, VO2max, relative maximum strength, relative anaerobic capacity, forced vital capacity and maximum voluntary ventilation was found to be insignificant between groups (p>0.05) while vital capacity and forced expiratory volume values were found to be significant between groups (p<0.05). Two-way analysis of variance was used in statistical analysis of the data obtained in this study. When measurement times were compared, body weight, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume, vital capacity and maximum voluntary ventilation values were found as insignificant (p>0.05), yet body mass index, VO2max, relative maximum force and relative anaerobic capacity levels were found to be significant (p<0.05). In conclusion, while body mass of athletes was reduced by 3.55% with interval training made in addition to swimming training, increase in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volumes of athletes were determined as 1.35% and 8.79%, respectively. This result shows that interval training performed during preparation stage affect the performance of child athletes.

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