Waller B1,2, Nurmi E1, Oddsson E2, Benonýsson G2, Einarsson IÞ2, Saavedra JM2
1University of Jyväskylä, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Jyväskylä, Finland, 2Reykjavik University, Physical Activity, Physical Education, Health and Sport Research Centre (PAPESH), Sport Sciences Department, School of Science and Engineering, Reykjavik, Iceland
Background: Deep-water running (DWR) is a popular alternative form of training for athletes looking to increase training volume, maintain aerobic fitness during a rehabilitation period or as a method of active recovery. Previous studies have shown that DWR can at least maintain aerobic fitness in endurance athletes, but to date, there have been no studies published investigating the effect of DWR in team sports such as football. Further, there is concern that the addition of deep-water running to a training regime may decrease important sport specific neuromuscular performance such as agility, sprint speed and explosive force production.
Purpose: The aim of this trial (the Soccer Aquatic FitnEss project, SAFE) was to investigate the effect of deep-water running compared to land-based running training on aerobic fitness and neuromuscular function in high-level Icelandic female football players.
Methods: This study used a pragmatic randomized controlled trial design and protocol was registered (ISRCTN 13376569). In total, 59 players were invited to participate in the study with 53 fulfilling inclusion criteria and completing baseline measurements (age mean 15.9±0.8 years, BMI 21.3±2.3 kg/m2). Participants were randomized into deep-water running (n=26) and land-based (n=27) groups. Both groups received 15 x 45 minute additional training sessions over a seven-week period. Training was intensity-matched running completed either in deep-water or on land. At baseline, all subjects took a comprehensive battery of tests. These included the primary outcome maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) testing measured with an incremental treadmill protocol. Secondary outcomes were counter movement jump (CMJ), Illinois agility test, 5x30m sprint test and maximal kicking speed. Differences between group means were calculated using analysis of covariance and within the group was tested using paired samples T-test. Baseline demographics are reported as mean and standard deviations and between and within group difference are reported as the mean change with 95% confidence intervals.
Results: There was no between-group differences in any of tests. VO2max increased in both groups 1.63 ml/kg/min [0.70 to 2.54] (p=0.001) or 3.5% and 1.62 ml/kg/min [0.83 to 2.41] (p 0.001) or 3.7%. Deep-water and land-based running respectively. Further, CMJ improved in both groups 2.75cm [1.86 to 3.64] (p 0.001) and 2.67cm [1.82 to 3.53] (p 0.001).
Conclusion(s): The addition of deep-water running or matched land-based training has a similar sized effects on aerobic fitness in female football players with no decrease in neuromuscular performance. However, this study was a single-center study recruiting only female football players of high level (second tier national champions). Future research should focus on the effects of deep-water running in male football players as well as elite level team sports.
Implications: Deep-water running could be used as a non-impact training options to improved aerobic fitness in female football players without fear of decrease in neuromuscular performance.
Keywords: Deep water running, Aerobic fitness, Neuromuscular performance
Funding acknowledgements: This project was funded by Reykjavik University with assistance from the Football Association of Iceland and Breidablik Club (Iceland)
Purpose: The aim of this trial (the Soccer Aquatic FitnEss project, SAFE) was to investigate the effect of deep-water running compared to land-based running training on aerobic fitness and neuromuscular function in high-level Icelandic female football players.
Methods: This study used a pragmatic randomized controlled trial design and protocol was registered (ISRCTN 13376569). In total, 59 players were invited to participate in the study with 53 fulfilling inclusion criteria and completing baseline measurements (age mean 15.9±0.8 years, BMI 21.3±2.3 kg/m2). Participants were randomized into deep-water running (n=26) and land-based (n=27) groups. Both groups received 15 x 45 minute additional training sessions over a seven-week period. Training was intensity-matched running completed either in deep-water or on land. At baseline, all subjects took a comprehensive battery of tests. These included the primary outcome maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) testing measured with an incremental treadmill protocol. Secondary outcomes were counter movement jump (CMJ), Illinois agility test, 5x30m sprint test and maximal kicking speed. Differences between group means were calculated using analysis of covariance and within the group was tested using paired samples T-test. Baseline demographics are reported as mean and standard deviations and between and within group difference are reported as the mean change with 95% confidence intervals.
Results: There was no between-group differences in any of tests. VO2max increased in both groups 1.63 ml/kg/min [0.70 to 2.54] (p=0.001) or 3.5% and 1.62 ml/kg/min [0.83 to 2.41] (p 0.001) or 3.7%. Deep-water and land-based running respectively. Further, CMJ improved in both groups 2.75cm [1.86 to 3.64] (p 0.001) and 2.67cm [1.82 to 3.53] (p 0.001).
Conclusion(s): The addition of deep-water running or matched land-based training has a similar sized effects on aerobic fitness in female football players with no decrease in neuromuscular performance. However, this study was a single-center study recruiting only female football players of high level (second tier national champions). Future research should focus on the effects of deep-water running in male football players as well as elite level team sports.
Implications: Deep-water running could be used as a non-impact training options to improved aerobic fitness in female football players without fear of decrease in neuromuscular performance.
Keywords: Deep water running, Aerobic fitness, Neuromuscular performance
Funding acknowledgements: This project was funded by Reykjavik University with assistance from the Football Association of Iceland and Breidablik Club (Iceland)
Topic: Sport & sports injuries; Musculoskeletal
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Reykjavik University
Ethics committee: Research Ethics Committee of Reykjavik University
Ethics number: 16/10/2017 (n.2017-002)
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
