The acute effects of different resistance training loads on repeated sprint ability in water polo players

Abstract

Purpose. Combining resistance and in-water training is a common practice in water polo. The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of different external loads during resistance training on the repeated sprint ability in water polo players. Methods. A total of 9 national level water polo players (age: 21.5 ± 2.0 years) executed, on different occasions, a repeated sprint swimming test (8 × 25 m with a 30-s rest) following a low load (50% of 1-repetition maximum) or a high load (80% of 1-repetition maximum) resistance training that consisted of leg press and bench press exercises. During the control condition, the players only performed the repeated ability test. Indices of repeated sprint ability included the best 25-m time (best), the mean time (mean), and the heart rate after the 4th and the 8th 25-m effort. In addition, the performance decrement was calculated. Results. Control and low load intensity conditions resulted in significantly faster best times than high load intensity (p < 0.01 and 0.05, respectively). Mean times were significantly faster during the control compared with the high load intensity condition (p < 0.05). Performance decrement and heart rate after the 4th and the 8th 25-m effort showed no differences between all 3 conditions (p > 0.05). Conclusions. These results suggest that when scheduling intrasession resistance and in-water training in water polo, low load programs should be preferred when the primary goal is the enhancement of repeated swimming performance.