The effects of detraining on college swimmers: Swim velocity, stroke rate, distance per stroke, work output, lactate concentration, exercise heart rate, maximum strength, and anthropometric evaluation

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of detraining on college swimmers. The subjects were male (MS) and female (FS) swimmers who had participated on the 1987-88 Northeast Missouri State University swim team. A repeated measures ANOVA and Duncan's New Multiple Range post hoc test were used to determine significant changes during detraining. The swim velocity of MS and FS decreased significantly but the stroke rate and distance per stroke did not change significantly. The work output of MS and FS declined significantly, concurrently, the exercise heart rates increased significantly. The maximum strength of MS and FS increased significantly. The blood lactate concentrations did not change during detraining. The weight and percent body fat of MS increased significantly. There were no other significant changes in the anthropometric evaluations of MS or FS.