The Physiological Effects of a Season of Varsity Swimming Competition and Training on Selected Bodily Responses of Swimmers

The purpose of this investigation was to study the physiological-effects of a season of varsity swimming competition and training on selected bodily responses of swimmers. The following hypothesis was investigated: Throughout the competitive swimming and training season, there is no significant trend that can be observed in the selected bodily responses of the varsity swimmers. 1. The eight male subjects for this study were chosen from members of the South Dakota State University varsity swimming team on the basis of individual participation during the previous season and on predicted participation in varsity competition. 2. Only these physiological parameters were measured: weight, maximal oxygen uptake, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume for one second, muscular endurance of the shoulder girdle, leg power, body fat, ventilation equivalence for oxygen, and maximal pulmonary ventilation. 3. The University, at this time, does not have a swimming pool. Therefore, the swimming team used the local high school pool. 4. The scheduling of practice times for the use of the pool was undesirable in that plans for the high school and city swimming programs were made before the University team schedule was considered. 5. The subjects were tested before the season began and every five weeks thereafter until the investigation was completed