Kinematical and Muscular Fatigue in Swimmers

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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During a submaximal task, gradual muscle fatigue occurs, which inevitably results in a decline in performance (mechanical failure). Elite athletes are known to employ unconscious compensatory strategies during fatiguing submaximal tasks in an attempt to delay the onset of mechanical failure as long as possible. The purpose of this study was to gain valuable insight into the strategies used by elite swimmers to cope with mechanical failure. Twenty-two swimmers were subjected to a swim test consisting of swimming as long as possible at a predetermined and controlled pace. A light strip positioned at the bottom of the pool allows athletes to get feedback on which gait to keep. The kinematics (stroke rate, stroke length, and efficiency index) and electrical activity of 10 muscle groups were analyzed and compared at the beginning of the test (non-fatiguing conditions), just before the athlete lost the ability to maintain the predetermined pace (pre-mechanical failure), and after the athlete lost the ability to maintain the pace (mechanical failure). It is hypothesized that as fatigue becomes more pronounced and the point of inability to maintain a predetermined speed is approached, increased EMG activity will occur in key muscles while other muscle groups may show more obvious signs of fatigue. In addition, changes in the rhythm and coordination of upper limb movements may occur.

Official Title
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Analysis of Kinematical and Muscular Fatigue in Long Distance Swimmers

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Swimming Fatigue Task


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Middle- or long-distance swimmer specializing in front crawl At least 3 years of experience in international competition Daily use of flashing light for pace control in aerobic, anaerobic threshold and maximum oxygen consumption training. Exclusion Criteria: 1) Presence of muscle pain or soreness that could prevent the athlete from performing at their best

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 16 Years
Maximum Age: 24 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: swimmers<br> | Other: Swimming Fatigue Task<br>* Swim freestyle at a steady, controlled pace until mechanical failure (i.e., inability to maintain the predetermined speed) is reached.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Flexor Carpi Radialis muscle activity | Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square) | up to 10 minutes | 
| Biceps Brachii muscle activity | Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square) | up to 10 minutes | 
| Triceps Brachii caput lateralis muscle activity | Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square) | up to 10 minutes | 
| Deltoideus Lateralis muscle activity | Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square) | up to 10 minutes | 
| Latissimus Dorsi muscle activity | Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square) | up to 10 minutes | 
| Superior Trapezius muscle activity | Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square) | up to 10 minutes | 
| Erector Spinae muscle activity | Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square) | up to 10 minutes | 
| Pectoralis Major pars clavicularis muscle activity | Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square) | up to 10 minutes | 
| Rectus Femoris muscle activity | Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square) | up to 10 minutes | 
| Biceps Femoris muscle activity | Electromyographic signal analysis (Root Mean Square) | up to 10 minutes | 
| Kinematic parameters | stroke frequency (time required to complete a stroke cycle) | up to 10 minutes | 
| Kinematic parameters | stroke length (distance traveled during each stroke cycle)) | up to 10 minutes | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Flexor Carpi Radialis muscle fatigue | time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal | up to 10 minutes | 
| Biceps Brachii muscle fatigue | time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal | up to 10 minutes | 
| Triceps Brachii caput lateralis muscle fatigue | time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal | up to 10 minutes | 
| Deltoideus Lateralis muscle fatigue | time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal | up to 10 minutes | 
| Latissimus Dorsi muscle fatigue | time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal | up to 10 minutes | 
| Superior Trapezius muscle fatigue | time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal | up to 10 minutes | 
| Erector Spinae muscle fatigue | time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal | up to 10 minutes | 
| Pectoralis Major pars clavicularis muscle fatigue | time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal | up to 10 minutes | 
| Rectus Femoris muscle fatigue | time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal | up to 10 minutes | 
| Biceps Femoris muscle fatigue | time-course evolution of the median frequency of the power density spectrum (MF [Hz]) of the sEMG signal | up to 10 minutes | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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muscle fatigue, Neuromuscular Strategy, performance, sEMG, swimming