By Dr. G. John Mullen<\/i><\/p>\n
SANTA CLARA, California, September 4. MANY\u00a0coaches are familiar with Dr. Brent Rushall and his writings on USRPT on the Swimming Science Bulletins<\/a>. Some have even ventured onto his website<\/a> and read many of his worthwhile publications or science abstracts<\/a>. If you haven\u2019t, get on the website and educate yourself (#swimnerd)! Within this information you\u2019ll find a lot of information about biomechanics, physiology, dryland, etc. which often disagree with current swimming philosophy. After I read nearly all these publications and books from Dr. Rushall, I found myself agreeing with a lot of his information, as we\u2019ve both read a lot of similar publications. However, I had questions about the following statements from Rushall:<\/p>\n \u201c[D]ry-land training demands are unrelated to or negatively impact male elite swimming performances (Sokolovas, 2000). [Current training theory is unrelated to male competitive performances.]\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStrength\/land training is a false avenue for swimmer improvement (Bulgakova, Vorontsov, & Fomichenko, 1987; Breed, Young, & McElroy, 2000; Costill, King, Holdren, & Hargreaves, 1983; Crowe, Babington, Tanner, & Stager, 1999; Tanaka, Costill, D. Thomas, Fink, & Widrick, 1993). [There still is an emphasis on developing “strength” in swimmers, despite its irrelevance.] Occasionally, a report of the value of strength training emerges (e.g., Hsu, Hsu, & Hsieh, 1997).\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Unfortunately, I don\u2019t have access to all these articles, as some aren\u2019t digitally produced. However, I am going to provide more information about the articles reviewed and make my own conclusions about dryland. As a disclaimer, I am a physical therapist<\/a> and strength coach<\/a>, making my views likely biased, so keep that in mind.<\/p>\n Sokolvas 2000<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Unfortunately, USA Swimming took down this complete study and I have not been able to retrieve the information, even from the author. From my understanding, there was a negative correlation with dryland training and performance. However, this study was an observational study, one of the lowest forms of evidence. This doesn\u2019t dismiss the information, but it is far from a randomized, retrospective study. To demonstrate the potential flaws, consider this scenario. If 3 of the worst swimmers in this study went to the same college and all were told to smile 5 hours a day, then smiling would negatively correlate with swimming performance and no one should smile\u2026see the flaw. Once again, useful information, but nothing to hang a hat on!<\/p>\n Bulgakova 1987<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Once again, I couldn\u2019t find this article through online searches on PubMed. From Dr. Rushall\u2019s review, \u201cThis study investigated the effects of two forms of strength training on good 11-12 years-old swimmers. Exercises were performed twice a week over a six-month period. Water exercises were mainly tethered rubber-band swims, while the land exercises used a pulling swim bench. The same amounts of interval training were used for each group on the exercises. A variety of measures were taken in and out of the water.\u201d<\/p>\n His review concluded: \u201cThe dry-land group actually increased more in the water than did the in-water group. However, the in-water group improved to a greater degree in actual swimming speed.\u201d<\/p>\n Without knowing the exact parameters of improvement for the \u201cin the water\u201d statement, it is difficult to extrapolate information. Also, the dry-land only performed swim bench, far different than most well designed dry-land programs, making this information purely related to swim bench.<\/p>\n Breed 2000<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Dr. Rushall often reviews pre-released publication abstracts, making it difficult to be certain some of the article reviews are the same. However, I\u2019m quite confident the Breed 2000 and Breed 2003 publications are the same.<\/p>\n Breed (2003) taught 23 females (average 18.9 years old, non-swimmers) the swimming start and split them into a control or resistance training group. The resistance training lasted nine weeks and was performed three times per week (clean pull, barbell press, parallel squat, back extension and many more at varying training volumes). Starting styles were correlated with jumping tests, but not isokinetic squat tests. Also, resistance training improved the dryland test.\u00a0 However, alterations did occur in certain start variables. Importantly, the take-off velocity significantly improved in the track start. However, flight distance did not improve in the resistance training group. Horizontal impulse and hand impulse significantly improved for the resistance training group for the track start. Lastly, the flight angle significantly improved, likely due to the improvements in impulse. This suggests in untrained swimmers, resistance training can likely increase impulse and velocity for the track start, but not improve dive performance (Breed 2003).<\/p>\n This study had some conflicting results, as improvement was noted in some, but not all, starting parameters. Also, this study looked at non-swimmers! How can one extrapolate dry-land research for a complete novice to an expert? Moreover, it only assessed the start, a completely different skill than actual swimming.<\/p>\n Costill 1983<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Once again, from the published literature, it seems Costill 1983 and Sharp 1982 are the same publication.<\/p>\n Dr. Rushall notes the Sharp 1982 study in his dryland debate, yet this study did not address the application of dryland or strength training and performance, but the correlation of swim bench training and performance. Since Sharp (1982) is cross-sectional and not prospective, it can only note associations, not a cause-and-effect relationship.<\/p>\n This uncontrolled study had four subjects (very small subject pool) perform five sets of 10 maximal pulls five times a week on the biokinetic swim bench. The results note increased sprint velocity (Sharp 1982).<\/p>\n Although the swim bench is suggested to reproduce some elements of regular swimming, it cannot adopt the biomechanical aspects related to the athletes feel for the water.<\/p>\n Once again, it’s a study on swim bench, not a complete dryland program.<\/p>\n Crowe 1999<\/strong><\/p>\n Crowe (1999), measured 1 RM of the bench press, latissimus pull down, and triceps press in 65 college swimmers. Dryland power was assessed using a seated chest press and a two-arm supine overhead throw for distance using a six-pound medicine ball. Swimming power was assessed by performing the crawl stroke for 30 seconds at maximum effort while tethered to a cord. Competitive times for 50m and 100m crawl strokes were used as measures of swimming performance.<\/p>\n Only the 1 RM latissimus pull down was related to performance for women. For the men, muscular strength was related to dryland and swimming power but not to performance (Crowe 1999).<\/p>\n This study suggests correlations between most dryland measures are minimal with swimming performance, but again doesn\u2019t show any cause-and-effect as it is prospective.<\/p>\n Tanaka 1993<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n In one of the best swimming and dryland studies, Tanaka (1993) compared an intervention group (12 men, average age 19.2 years old) combining three weekly sessions of strength training with regular swimming training to a control group (12 men, average age 19.2 years old) performing the swim training program only. The strength training program consisted of three sets of 8\u201312 repetitions with progressive resistance across five exercises (dips, chin-ups, lat pulldowns, elbow extensions and bent arms fly).<\/p>\n The intervention group declined maximal swimming velocity between week two and eight of the study. However, the decline was not significant compared with the control group. The combined strength training group did show about 25 percent improvement during dryland tests, while the swimming-only group showed no improved on dryland.<\/p>\n Overall, Tanaka and colleagues (1993) found no significant improvements in either 22.9-meter (25 yards) or 365.8-meter (400 yards) swimming performances after eight weeks of dryland strength training. This does suggest higher volume resistance training combined with a high-volume swimming program impairs sprint and distance swimming.<\/p>\n Hsu 1997<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The one study Dr. Rushall references which supports strength training is by Hsu (1997), which I can\u2019t access. This study appears to have a positive effect of isokinetic shoulder internal and external rotation for five weeks. Rushall notes the strength-trained group improved significantly in three factors involving swimming speed and propulsive forces, while the swimming-only group showed no changes. Unfortunately, the parameters of the training or improvements isn\u2019t noted. Also, longer distances were not analyzed, as the 50 is mainly a power event, somewhat dissimilar to the other events.<\/p>\n Although positive for dryland strength training, the program is far from elite dryland for swimmers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Summary of Rushall’s reviews<\/strong><\/p>\n This review may sound harsh on Dr. Rushall or his views, but it is simply my interpretation of the literature he has reviewed. As a coach or swimmer, you must assess the available research, implement a plan, and then reassess.<\/p>\n In this series, I\u2019ll review the other research articles on strength training and swimming, as well make my recommendations for dryland. As you\u2019ll see, dryland in swimming needs a change, even a radical change as Dr. Rushall notes, but it is still a valuable asset for any swim team.<\/p>\n Want more on\u00a0Dryland for Swimmers<\/a>, order your copy today for $59.99!<\/em><\/p>\n References:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Dr. G. John Mullen SANTA CLARA, California, September 4. MANY\u00a0coaches are familiar with Dr. Brent Rushall and his writings on USRPT on the Swimming Science Bulletins. 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