Effect of Pre-Participation Aquatic Training Program on Running Performance in Marathon Runners

Abstract

Objective: The most important objective was to determine the effect of an aquatic pre-participation training program for improving the running performance of middle-aged marathon runners. Method: The study was conducted among 100 recreational male and female runners (aged 25 to 35 years) fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects were randomly divided into two equal groups, the control group (n=50) and the experimental group (n=50) by using SPSS software. 6 weeks of aquatic training was conducted for the experimental group for 5 days per week while the control group underwent swimming. The scores were statistically examined by paired ‘t-test. Results: Results showed that there was a significant reduction in pain in both groups with a p-value <0.0001. Both groups showed significant improvement in cardiac endurance VO2 max. The mean post-VO2 max of the experimental group and control group showed significant improvement in VO2 max with p-value <0.0001. Experimental group showed more improvement in 1RM leg press test as compared to the control group. Mean pre and post-1RM leg press test was (pre:66.10±14.0) (post:73.40±15.20) with p value <0.0001. While of the control group was (pre:68.02±15.09) (post:69.40±13.94) with p value 0.0275. There was significant improvement in 50m sprint run test in the experimental group with pre mean 6.23±0.44 and post mean 6.00±0.46 with (p value <0.0001). Much improvement was not seen in 50m SRT of the control group, the pre mean was 6.11±0.44 and post mean was 6.06±0.48 with (p value 0.0832). Conclusion: It concluded that the pre-participation aquatic training program had shown a significant positive response in improving speed strength and reducing pain.