1. PERIODISATION OF MULTI-YEAR TRAINING [MYT/LTAD] OF YOUNG SWIMMERS
A.R.Vorontsov
PhD, ASA, BSCTA, Russian State Academy of Physical Education © A. R. Vorontsov, last upgrade

2. Prime Objectives of MYT/LTAD:
To maximize physical growth and functional development of juvenile athletes before the age of full biological maturity
To form a body build and composition matching to specific requirements of sport swimming
To develop specific structure of swimming abilities
To learn specific competitive skills and variety of training skills.
development
of personality
and motivation !!! +

3. Framework of MYT/LTAD superimposed on
process of Growth and Development 
LTAD/MYT ♀ 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Growth and Development 
LTAD/MYT ♂  9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Growth and Development 

4. Programmes of MYT/LTAD should incorporate the models of development describing:
Rate of the growth and development of functional and motor abilities at different ages
Morphological & physiological differences between boys and girls
Effect of individual and gender differences in maturation
Age periods of maximal response to different types of training and workloads (sensitive periods)

5. AGE BOUNDARIES OF MYT/LTAD in swimming
Children may start swimming as early as at the age 6-7 years. Future swimmers should learn basics of swimming technique  [1-2 years of preliminary preparation in Learn-to-Swim program]. Optimal age to start – 8-9 years
The optimal age to begin specialized training – 9-10 years for girls and years for boys
The age of first performance of the National Senior Standards in swimming – soon after young individuals achieve full biological maturity =♀14-16/♂16-18 YO Age
The “age of peak performance” [APP]
- for males is years,
and years for females

6. PERIODISATION OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Late Childhood - the age of 6-9 years
Slow growth. No significant differences in growth
patterns and physical development between boys and girls
Maximal rate of growth
Pre-Pubescent Period
8-11/12 years of age for girls/ years for boys
Rapid maturation, + fastest rate of gain of muscle mass & strength
1st phase of Pubescent Period – Puberty
12-14 years of age for girls/13-16 for boys
Completion of maturation, stunt of the growth
2nd phase of Pubescent Period –
Post-puberty –14-18/16-20 years

7. Pre-pubescent period (“hypophisial stage”):
Individual growth and development is controlled by hGH. Growth acceleration begins: in girls height spurt occurs in average two years earlier than in boys (respectively at the age ♀ and years♂)
peak of the weight increase occurs years after height spurt between ♀ /14-15 years of age ♂]

8. BEFORE onset of puberty It involves an increase of:
GROWTH SPURT starts
BEFORE onset of puberty
It involves an increase of:
Height, systolic volume,
cardiac output, VC, VE
Weight spurt marks the beginning of puberty

9. Pubescent period (puberty) – “gonadial” stage - rapid maturation controlled by sex hormones
Rapid rise in production of sex hormones accelerates the growth of muscle mass, increases secretion of adrenaline/nor-adrenaline and glycogen stores
Peak of increase of maximal power and other strength abilities years after peak gain of body mass (at the age of girls/15-17 years - boys)
 An optimal biological background for development of anaerobic energy system, maximal power, specific muscular endurance, and speed-strength abilities

10. Pubescent period (puberty) – gonadial stage - rapid maturation controlled by sex hormones
GIRLS
Beginning - in girls at years
Me+ at the age of 13/14
Establishing of regular menstrual cycle - at the age years (12-18 month after Me+)
Short growth spurt is altering by rapid deceleration of growth caused by action of estrogens:
1) closing of growth zones in tubular bones
2) fat accumulation

11. Up to the age of Me+ girl achieves 97-98%
of adult height and muscle mass
Establishing of regular Me cycle means for
girl the end of her natural growth and
motor development
Further increase of motor abilities and
performance – only due to the training !!!

12. Pubescent period (puberty) – gonadial stage - rapid maturation controlled by sex hormones
BOYS
In boys acceleration of the growth starts later but lasts longer then in girls with greater growth rate
Peak annual increase of weight and muscle mass - between years of age
Peak of increase of maximal force and majority of strength abilities - at the age of years

13. Post-Pubescent period – deceleration of growth and achieving of full maturity Maximal difference between males and females in physical development is established
Gender Dimorphysm:
Males continue growth and development, although at decelerating rate, up to years of age
They surpass females in height, weight, muscle mass, motor abilities, aerobic and anaerobic power
Females may have better extensive endurance, buoyancy and flexibility, but have more body fat
After the age of females, if are not trained, lose significant amount of aerobic and anaerobic capabilities and strength

14. Boy-swimmers aged 11-13(Pre-pubescent
Boy-swimmers aged 11-13(Pre-pubescent!)years may be inferior to girl-swimmers of the same age (pubescent!) in height, weight, VO2 max, but still superior in pulling force at V=0. After growth spurt boys are taller, heavier, have higher aerobic power than girls
Vorontsov, Chebotareva, Solomatin, 1986, 1989

15. Boy-swimmers aged 11-13(Pre-pubescent
Boy-swimmers aged 11-13(Pre-pubescent!)years may be inferior to girl-swimmers of the same age (pubescent!) in height, weight, VO2 max, but still superior in pulling force at V=0. After growth spurt boys are taller, heavier, have higher aerobic power than girls
Vorontsov, Chebotareva, Solomatin, 1986, 1989

16. Particularities of LTAD for girl-swimmers:
Girls enter the puberty earlier and are more mature than boys at every age between 11 and 16 years
They need more volume and intensity at every age than boys (“Break-point volume” – km - at the age of years)
Before years of age - focus on specific, functional strength and core body strength, after maximal strength, power and speed-strength
After puberty the volume of strength training for girls may be 20-25% higher than for boys
Weight control + diet = better body composition

17. FAST TRACK FOR GIRLS-SWIMMERS SPECIALISED IN BREASTSTROKE
Many female Olympic and World Champs winners and finalist in 200 m Breaststroke event - girls aged years Yuliya Bogdanova won BR at World Champ in 1978 at the age of 13. At the age of 15 she won bronze medal at Moscow Olympics M.Koshevaya - Olympic Champ at the age of 16 (1976) More recently – Mirna Jukic, Liesel Jones (2000)
Strong possibility for the “fast track” exists in female BR. Girls may start specialization in BR at the age 11-12

18. Average Chronological Borders
of the periods are conditional (+1-2(3) years)
Biological age is one of the major
criteria of individual’s
readiness to different types
of endurance and strength training
and predictor of swimming
performance

19. The human growth follows a predictable course  all individuals pass through the same stages
Each individual has a unique growth pattern in respects to duration of each stage and growth rate
Pubescent boys and girls of the same age demonstrate notable individual variation in growth rate and maturity
The greatest variation in maturity and motor abilities: in girls - at the age of 11-13, in boys years
Individual variations in maturity result in variations in motor abilities and performance

20. Due to performance based selection in sport
Distribution of girls aged 13 and boys aged 14 years into the TYPES of MATURATION (%) in “normal” population (schoolchildren)
Due to performance based selection in sport
“EARLY DEVELOPERS” (A) may compose 50 to 80 % of young swimming champions

21. Effect of biological age on motor development and sport performance
Early Developers [“A”] demonstrate
higher levels of physical abilities and performance
than their peers with Normal Maturity Level[“N”]
or Late Developers [“R”]
“SUPERIORITY” of early developers disappears to the age
when their less mature mates achieve full maturity.
Early growth spurt = early stop of the growth
and development
50-80% of age-group champions “disappear” from
sport horizon before the optimal age of top achievements

22. Differences in body build and strength abilities in girl-swimmers 13 years of age in respect to maturity level

23. In pubescent girls the difference in body build, power and strength
may be explained
by difference in maturity level
(similar results obtained for boys)
(Vorontsov, Binevsky, Korobova, Filonov, 1998)

25. What are the reasons of high performances at early ages
What are the reasons of high performances at early ages? 50% - high anaerobic training volume 48% - early biological maturation 2% - talent
© G.Sokolovas, US Swimming, 2002
Why do young champions disappear after high performances at early ages - ???
Due to insufficient skill development and low volume of aerobic training

26. THEORY OF “HORMONAL SCISSORS” (“reproductive postponement state”)
If we can do anything about that ?..
D. Adams, 1984; A. Rylov 1985
THEORY OF “HORMONAL SCISSORS” (“reproductive postponement state”)
This theory assumes that extensive aerobic training in pre-pubescent and pubescent athletes delays the onset of puberty and thus benefits to growth

27. Theory of “hormonal scissors”
During lengthy periods of stress the organism reduces total energy output in order to save an energy needed for coping stress and growth Reproductive system is cut from O2-supply first

28. Theory of “hormonal scissors”
Extensive aerobic training suppresses an activity of gender glands & promotes release of “stress hormones” (including hGH)
These hormonal changes may slow down the process of maturation in pre-pubescent and pubescent individuals
Delayed puberty will results in longer somatic growth and higher functional development

29. Effect of training & maturation on physical development and
swimming performance in two girl-swimmers
(both born in February 1989, both started
Specialized training at the age 12 years 7 month)
26 month
9 month
EYOF
2 gold

31. If Multi-Year Training can significantly modify the growth and development ? ? ?
Within genetic limits MYT definitely can modify
the output of the growth and development
Without purposeful MYT it would not be possible
to achieve full individual potential of the motor abilities
Without MYT it would be not possible to form highly
specific structure of abilities and specific performing skills

32. The differences in physical and motor development of young swimmers and non-athletes  result of both selection (pre-training) and MYT
Surpass (in %) of boy swimmers over their peers non-athletes at the ages 11 and 18 years (Vorontsov, 1989)

33. Impact of MYT upon functional development
Differences between well trained young swimmers aged years and their peers non-athletes in VE max, VO2max , La max in standard laboratory exercises = 40-60% (Timakova, 1985, Solomatin, 1988)

34. EFFECT OF MYT IN SWIMMING ON RESPIRATORY SYSTEM (facts)
… swimmers achieved greater lung volumes than either distance runners or control subjects by developing physically wider chests, containing an increased number of alveoli, rather than alveoli of increased size...
Armour J., Donnelly P.M., Bye P.T., 1993

35. Anthropometrical and functional development of young swimmers
should be seen as specific adaptive
response to requirements of the aquatic
training
(breathing restrictions, hyperventilation
plus training volume
and intensity)
What kind of training would be
most efficient to maximize the
outcome of the growth???

36. Aerobic energy system is the most
 SKILL FOCUSED, PREDOMINANTLY EXTENSIVE AEROBIC TRAINING AT EARLY STAGES OF MYT/LTAD IN SWIMMING
Aerobic energy system is the most
important for normal growth & development
and coping with stress
It matures earlier in individuals’ life
than anaerobic system

37. Endurance training in swimming before and during early puberty produces a greater increase in size of the organs of cardio-vascular & respiratory system than training later in life
Astrand, P. O. et al., Girl swimmers.
Acta Pediatrica Scandinavica,Supplement 147;
Eriksson, B. O., Physical training, oxygen
supply and muscle metabolism in year old boys.
Acta Physiologica Scandinavica, Supplement 384.

38. specific relationship between muscle activity
THEORY OF MOTOR-VISCERAL AND VISCERA-MOTOR REFLEXES (Mogendovich, 1961, 1963, Arshavsky, 1966,1968)
Hypothesis:
Signals (neural impulses) from acting muscles
to CNS and back - from CNS to acting muscles
and internal organs help to establish
specific relationship between muscle activity
and activity of functional systems

39. The role of visceral-motor reflexes in facilitating of physical growth and development
In the process of training CNS establishes specific “communication channels” between performing muscles and cardiovascular, respiratory and other systems
CNS selects parameters of physiological response matching the level of specific motor performance, stores this information in memory and releases on demand (mechanism of conditional reflexes)

40. Aerobic training of moderate intensity
- results in larger size of heart, lungs, diameters of major blood vessels, etc.
- harmonizes the work of muscular system and cardio-vascular and respiratory system
The earlier “communication channels”
between motor apparatus and physiological
systems will be established
- the greater progress in growth and
physical development may be achieved.

41. EARLY PREDISPOSITION TO AEROBIC TRAINING (facts)
VO2 max/kg body mass is similar in age groupers and adults
VO2 max/kg of muscle mass in pre- pubescent children significantly higher than in adults (!!!) –

42. growth rate of heart, blood vessels, lungs  at the age of 13-15 years
Particularities of cardio-vascular response to training of different intensity in children and adolescents
Before growth acceleration children are predisposed towards extensive aerobic training of low intensity
Maximal
growth rate of heart, blood vessels,
lungs  at the age of years
in boys and in girls
It’s the best time for development of intensive
aerobic endurance (VO2 max)

43. Development of anaerobic system in young swimmers
4477

44. protecting activity of the CNS (central fatigue*)
Possible reasons of lower anaerobic lactic endurance in pre-pubescent children
low lactate abilities (glycogen stores in muscle and rate of their mobilisation - adrenaline/ noradrenaline/testosterone, lower concentration of MCT-1, MCT-4)
low lactate tolerance (local fatigue*)
protecting activity of the CNS (central fatigue*)
lack of training experience and specific adaptations
* - Age groupers of 9-12 years usually stop intensive exercise long before exaustion

45. Reduced anaerobic abilities in pre-pubescent children
A 2- to 3-fold lower blood lactate concentration after
both sub-maximal and maximal exercise
in children compared with untrained and trained adults
is consistent with lower anaerobic enzyme activity in children
(Eriksson, 1972; Williams, Armstrong, Kirby, 1990)
Base Excess (-BE) were found significantly lower
in boys versus young adults and after
repeated super-maximal exercise
(Ratel S, Duche P, Hennegrave A, Van Praagh E, Bedu M 2002)

46. Reduced anaerobic abilities in pre-pubescent children
Children have 3.5-fold lower LDH activity
(Eriksson et al., 1973; Boisseau N., Delamarche P.2000)
PFK 8.4 mmolgˉ¹min ˉ¹ – which is at least ½ adult value
(LDH & PFK are rate-limiting enzymes of anaerobic glycolysis)
Lower LDH and PFK activity in children compared with adults
are partially accounted for reduced lactate generation capacity

47. Slow increase of lactic capacity and power from
Blood lactate after maximal swimming test 4x50 m freestyle (rest 45”/30”/15”) in boy-swimmers years of age (Solomatin, Vorontsov, Sidorov, 1990)
Slow increase of lactic capacity and power from
11 to 14 years. 2 peaks – at the age of and
16-17

48. Author AG Lactate, mmol/l
Lactate values found in AG swimmers during VO2 max assessment in swimming step-test
Author AG Lactate, mmol/l
Åstrand ♀ Lact= Lact=
Cunningham♂ 10 Lact= Lact=
Namura ♀ Lact= Lact=
Tendency
of increased
lactate
production
with the age
at VO2 max level

49. The study investigated the effects of 6 week
LACTATE, AMMONIA AND CATECHOLAMINE METABOLISM IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS AFTER ANAEROBIC TRAINING L.S. PRADO, Department of Sports Sciences, University of Constance
The study investigated the effects of 6 week
specific anaerobic swimming training
3x[4x25 m maximal sprints, 5 s between sprints]
5 min rest between sets 3 times per week
on lactate, ammonia and catecholamines concentrations in blood
after different anaerobic exercise bouts in water
(100 m and 45 s).
Twelve male children, aged 10.8 ± 0.7 years,
and 12 male adults, aged 24.1 ± 5.7 years, were
investigated before and after the training period
Both before and after training lactate, ammonia and
Catecholamine concentrations were lower in children
following all exercise tests

50. Results on catecholamines and testosterone
indicate a reduced sensitivity
to anaerobic training before puberty.
Maturation is believed to trigger the
development of anaerobic capacity up to adult levels.
Ability to mobilize glycogen stores rapidly/anaerobic power

51. STRUCTURE OF THE MYT/LTAD

52. STRUCTURE OF THE MYT/LTAD
THEORY OF SENSITIVE PERIODS IN PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT AND MOTOR LEARNING
SUGGESTION:
maximal effect of physical training on growth and developmental patterns of motor abilities may be achieved by:
1) exposing juvenile athletes to specialized training during the periods of rapid growth
2) changing training accents and content in accordance with the rhythm of the growth
& level of maturation

54. STRUCTURE OF MYT/LTAD MYT is sub-divided into stages in accordance with particularities of growth and development. Each stage has specific objectives and content
Higher stages of MYT aim to develop specific abilities and functions, limiting the level of achievements in elite athletes, develop specialized technical skills to the highest level of perfection, create strong and stabile sport motivation
Lower stages of MYT aim to build functional foundation of aerobic endurance and basic sport skills, assist to health improvement and develop in young athletes an interest and commitment to the sport swimming

55. Age Groupers and Juniors
MYT -- LTAD

56. Content of this stage: - learning of basic swimming
1. THE STAGE OF PRELIMINARY SPORT PREPARATION
Optimal age to start MYT in swimming years for girls/8-10 years for boys. The duration of this preliminary sport preparation is 1-2 years
Content of this stage: - learning of basic swimming
techniques while employing a large number of preparatory
and special exercises/games
The frequency of practices gradually increases
from 3 to 4-6 per week
Duration of sessions increases from 30’ 45’ 60’
Latter automatically increases the total training load
and enhances both swimming and general physical fitness

57. N.B.! psychological ‘’wearing’’ and tiredness1.
Physical abilities in children aged 5-7(8)
grow up very slowly. – Too early beginning of MYT
in swimming makes it longer without substantial
progress in swimming results
Accent on enjoyment!!!
Many young swimmers who began training
at very early age leave the sport due to
psychological ‘’wearing’’ and tiredness

58. Focus of this stage – building of functional foundations:
2. THE STAGE OF BASIC TRAINING
Average age of the beginning for girls
and years for boys
Average duration of the stage years
Focus of this stage – building of functional foundations:
development of aerobic capacity & efficiency,
mastering specific swimming skills in all strokes,
Core body strength, flexibility, mobility, stability
 progressive annual increase
of a total swimming volume and volume of land training.
Total swimming volume in the last year of this stage:
km for girls and
km for boys

59. Practical Recommendations:
Late event specialisation: all age group swimmers should be considered as middle distance and IM swimmers (except girls breaststroke swimmers)
Accent on aerobic training before and during puberty % of total swimming volume – steady state extensive aerobic training at 70% of VO2
Skill and stroke efficiency development (SR/SL ratio): first within a range of low aerobic velocities, then at fast aerobic velocities and at race pace
Development of efficient leg kick since early ages % of kick – time controlled
Peak increase of the volume - before onset of puberty Gradual/consistent increase of intensity – during & after puberty

60. 3. THE STAGE OF PROFOUND SPECIALIZATION
For girls this stage begins at the age between years For boys, due to later maturation, -- between years Duration of this stage is 3-4 years
The readiness of young swimmers for increased training demands is decided on individual’s biological age and actual performance

61. EXPOSURE TO COMPETITIONS AT SENIOR NATIONAL AND JUNIOR 3.
More specific training: development of the functional
power and capacity via training in swimming
Transfer of endurance developed in exercises like
running, skiing, rowing onto swimming decreases
after the age of years
Total swimming volume in the final year of this stage may reach
km for boys / for girls
comprised of 65-85% aerobic swimming,
15-30% of race specific training (lactate & VO2 max),
and 5-6% of alactic (sprint) training
EXPOSURE TO COMPETITIONS AT
SENIOR NATIONAL AND JUNIOR
INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

62. Practical Recommendations:
Develop every Age Grouper years as IM swimmer, then specialize him/her into specific strong events and specific training for those events
Prepare 2-3 “spare” events in case if performance plateau will occur during maturation These events should be middle or long distances
Maintain the consistency of average volumes of swimming over an extended period (4-6 weeks) followed by recovery/adaptation week (rest on demand!)
Introduce RACE MODELS into functional and skill training

63. 4. THE STAGE OF SPORT EXCELLENCE
The average age to start training to swimming excellence is years for girls/ years for boys
Possibility of further increase of the annual training volume and intensity in girls and boys years of age – is an important factor of performance improvement
The primary training goal at the Stage of Excellence is mastering maximal swimming volume:
km per year for sprinters,
km for middle distance swimmers
km for distance swimmers

64. Practical Recommendations:
Individualization and specialization of training programmes based on race models
Further perfection of swimming skills, start & turns
Consistent increase of Quality Training --
Race pace, Race speed, maximal speed
Maximal & Functional Strength training
Specific Strength training
Use of competitions as an important form of specific training (2-3 stage meets before main event)

65. QUESTIONS ???
44+ (0)