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 - 2005
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 !!!
Framework of MYT/LTAD superimposed on
process of Growth and Development
♀
9
10
LTAD/MYT
11
12 13
14
15
Growth and Development 
16
17-18-19
♂
9
10
11
12
13
LTAD/MYT
14
15
16
Growth and Development 
17
18-19-20
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)
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 10-11 years for boys
The age of first performance of the National Senior
Standards in swimming – soon after young individuals

♀14-16/♂16-18 YO
achieve full biological maturity =
Age
The “age of peak performance” [APP]
- for males is 20-22 years,
and 18-20 years for females

PERIODISATION OF GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT
Late Childhood - the age of 6-9 years
Slow growth. No significant differences in growth
patterns
Maximal
rate and physical development between boys and girls
of growth
Pre-Pubescent Period
Rapid 8-11/12 years of age for girls/ 10-13 years for boys
maturation, +
fastest rate of
gain of muscle
1st phase of Pubescent Period – Puberty
mass & strength 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
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 11-12 ♀ and 13-14 years♂)
 peak of the weight increase occurs 1-1.5
years after height spurt between 12-13 ♀ /14-15 years of age ♂]

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
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/noradrenaline and glycogen stores
 Peak of increase of maximal power and other
strength abilities - 1-2 years after peak gain of
body mass (at the age of 13-15 girls/15-17 years
- boys)
  An optimal biological background for
development of anaerobic energy system,
maximal power, specific muscular endurance,
and speed-strength abilities

Pubescent period (puberty) – gonadial stage rapid maturation controlled by sex hormones
GIRLS
Beginning - in girls at 11-12 years
 Me+ at the age of 13/14
 Establishing of regular menstrual cycle - at the
age 14.5-15 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
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 !!!

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 14-15 years of age
Peak of increase of maximal force and
majority of strength abilities - at the age of
15-17 years
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 20-22 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 15-16 females, if are not trained, lose
significant amount of aerobic and anaerobic capabilities and
strength

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
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
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” – 2100-2400
km - at the age of 13-14 years)
 Before 13-14 years of age - focus on specific, functional
strength and core body strength, after 14-16 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
FAST TRACK FOR GIRLSSWIMMERS SPECIALISED IN
BREASTSTROKE

Many female Olympic and World Champs
winners and finalist in 200 m Breaststroke
event - girls aged 14-16 years
Yuliya Bogdanova won 100-200 BR at World Champ in
1978 at the age of 13. At the age of 15 she won bronze
medal at Moscow Olympics 1980.
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

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

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 - 1315 years
Individual variations in maturity result in
variations in motor abilities and performance
Distribution of girls aged 13 and boys aged 14
years into the TYPES of MATURATION (%)
in “normal” population (schoolchildren)
TYPE of
Development
R - retardants
N - normotypes
A - accelerants
Transitional
GIRLS
(n=224)
BOYS
(n=218)
16.5
17.9
57
56
25.5
21.6
1
4.5
Due to performance
based
selection in sport
“EARLY DEVELOPERS” (A)
may compose 50 to 80 % of
young swimming
champions
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

Differences in body build and strength abilities in girlswimmers 13 years of age in respect to maturity level
C h a ra cteristics
H eig h t, cm
W eig h t, kg
P F LAND , N
P F V =0, N
fu ll stro ke
P F V =0, N
p u ll o n ly
P F V =0, N
kick o n ly
P ea k fo rce, N
p o w er settin g
"0"
P ea k fo rce, N
p o w er settin g
"5"
P ea k fo rce, N
p o w er settin g
"9"
E n d u ra n ce In d ex
3 -m in test, c.u .
X
+SD
X
+SD
X
+SD
X
+SD
X
+SD
X
+SD
X
+SD
T y p e of
M
A (n = 4 )
1 6 8 .3 3
4 .5 0
5 5 .3 3
6 .8 0
2 8 0 .5 7
1 0 .9 8
1 5 1 .2 1
1 3 .9 8
1 3 6 .5 1
7 .5 4
1 0 8 .0 9
1 0 .7 8
1 2 8 .0 9
1 3 .9 2
a tu rity
N (n = 7 )
1 6 5 .1 6
5 .4 5
5 2 .5 1
5 .2 2
2 7 2 .0 5
2 3 .2 2
1 3 5 .3 4
1 7 .3 4
1 2 3 .9 7
5 .4 9
1 0 4 .9 6
8 .7 2
1 3 3 .2 8
1 2 .7 4
R (n = 1 4 )
1 6 0 .6 6
5 .7 4
4 4 .8 0
6 .0 1
2 3 6 .2 8
2 8 .5 2
1 3 4 .3 6
1 6 .3 7
1 1 0 .7 4
1 7 .0 5
9 5 .7 8
1 3 .2 3
1 1 5 .2 5
1 1 .4 6
D ifferen ce
A > R p < 0 .0 5
A >R
N >R
A >R
N >R
A >R
p < 0 .0 1
p < 0 .0 5
p < 0 .0 1
p < 0 .0 5
p < 0 .0 5
A > R p < 0 .0 5
A > R p < 0 .0 5
X
+SD
7 0 .0 7
5 .8 8
6 7 .7 2
1 0 .9 7
5 7 .7 2
6 .7 6
A > R p < 0 .0 1
N > R p < 0 .0 1
X
+SD
3 8 .6 1
2 .7 4
3 1 .4 6
8 .7 2
2 2 .9 3
6 .6 6
A > R p < 0 .0 0 1
N > R p < 0 .0 5
16715
810
15919
1465
X
+SD
18672
863
A > N p < 0 .0 1
A > R p < 0 .0 1
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)
Participation at All time Top 100 in 100 Freestyle Age 17-18 (Boys)
Top 100
Age 17-18
2%
6%
2 swimmers
6 swimmers
Top 100
Age under 10
Top 100
Age 11-12
11%
29%
11 Swimmers
Top 100
Age 13-14
29 Swimers
Top 100
Age 15-16
Participation at All time Top 100 in 100 Freestyle Age 17-18 (Girls)
Top 100
Age 17-18
2%
13%
2 swimmers
13 swimers
Top 100
Age under 10
Top 100
Age 11-12
Sourse: USA Swimming TOP 100 statistics
27%
45%
27 swimmers
Top 100
Age 13-14
© Sokolovas, 1999
45 swimmers
Top 100
Age 15-16
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
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
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
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
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)
ST
age of Me+ 14 yrs 9 m
Age
12
13
26 month14
Me+
15
16
EYOF
2 gold
age of Me+ 14 yrs 9 m
Age
156
Me+9
month
164
166
166
12
13
14
15
16
ET
15 2.32.26
16 2.32.82
17 2.31.65
2.53.2
2.36.03
2.36.30
2.39.82
2.41.33
ET
13 yrs 4 m
Heart Rate beat/min
217
198
211 197*
206
197
201*
197
201
196
ST
200 m Breaststroke
12 2.55.1
13 2.42.82
before Me+ 14 2.32.36
Me+
ST
13 yrs 4 m
Height cm
160
164 162*
168
175.5*
176.5
ST
Age
ET
ET
200 m IM
Me+
before Me+ 14
Me+
Gold
2.44.12
2.32.23
2.20.82
2.18.84
2.16.96*
2.40.30
2.25.90
2.25.67
2.26.27
2.24.63
Age
Swimming
Volume, km
Swimming sessions
per week
11.5-12.6
estimate
620 per season
1683 per season
2118 per season
2035/2331 per season
1154*
*6.5 month
3-5 sessions a week
12.7-13.5
13.6-14.5
14.6-15.5
15.6-16.2
6-8 sessions a week
9 sessions a week
9 sessions a week
9 sessions a week
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
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 nonathletes at the ages 11 and 18 years (Vorontsov, 1989)
Impact of MYT upon functional
development
 Differences
between well
trained young swimmers
aged 16-17 years and their
peers non-athletes in VE max,
VO2max , La max in standard
laboratory exercises = 4060%
(Timakova, 1985, Solomatin, 1988)
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
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???
 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
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., 1963. Girl swimmers.
Acta Pediatrica Scandinavica,Supplement 147;
Eriksson, B. O., 1972. Physical training, oxygen
supply and muscle metabolism in 11-13 year old boys.
Acta Physiologica Scandinavica, Supplement 384.
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
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)
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.
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 prepubescent children significantly higher than in
adults (!!!) –
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 13-15 years
in boys and 11-13 in girls
It’s the best time for development of intensive
aerobic endurance (VO2 max)
Development of anaerobic
system in young swimmers
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
Reduced anaerobic abilities in prepubescent 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)
Reduced anaerobic abilities in prepubescent 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
Blood lactate after maximal swimming test
4x50 m freestyle (rest 45”/30”/15”) in
boy-swimmers 11-18 years of age
(Solomatin, Vorontsov, Sidorov, 1990)
Age, years
Lactate, mmol · l¯¹
Total time 4x50 m, s
Lactate/t4x50 m
mmol· l¯¹ · s¯¹
X
SD
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
7.1
8.3
9.1
9.2
12.0
12.2
14.6
14.3
2.0
2.7
2.4
2.7
3.4
2.9
2.9
2.7
X
SD
156.4 150.1 139.1 131.1 126.2 123.9 118.1 114.4
X
SD
0.045 0.055 0.065 0.070 0.095 0.098 0.124 0.125
8.9
0.014
8.1
0.020
8.0
0.019
5.9
0.020
5.1
0.022
4.6
0.024
4.4
0.026
Slow increase of lactic capacity and power from
11 to 14 years. 2 peaks – at the age of 14-15 and
16-17
3.9
0.027
Lactate values found in AG swimmers
during VO2 max assessment in swimming
step-test
Tendency
of increased
lactate
production
with the age
at VO2 max level

Author
AG
Lactate, mmol/l

Åstrand ♀ 10-11 Lact= 9.33 + 0.77
1963
14-15 Lact=10.04 + 0.53

Cunningham♂ 10 Lact= 9.00 + 2.90
1973
14.9 Lact= 12.06 + 1.96

Namura ♀ 10
1985
14
Lact= 6.63 + 1.86
Lact= 8.06 + 2.78
LACTATE, AMMONIA AND CATECHOLAMINE METABOLISM IN
CHILDREN AND ADULTS AFTER ANAEROBIC TRAINING
L.S. PRADO, Department of Sports Sciences, University of Constance
Table 1.
Lactate and
concentration
andof
post
training
Theammonia
study investigated
the pre
effects
6 week
Lactate
Ammonia
µmol.L-1
specific
anaerobicmmol.L-1
swimming training
Test
Children
Adults
Children
Adults
3x[4x25 m maximal sprints, 5 s between sprints]
100 m pre
5.3+1.0
11.9+4.2
5 min
rest between
sets 3 times 48.2+13.1
per week 149.2+37.6
on lactate, ammonia and catecholamines concentrations in blood
100 m post
5.0+1.9
12.5+3.4
50.0+8.7
125.6+41.6
after different anaerobic exercise bouts in water
158.0+38.1
(10011.0+2.6
m and 45 s). 68.7+25.8
Twelve
male children,
aged 10.849.6+12.4
± 0.7 years,114.0+43.7
45-s post
4.9+1.8
10.1+2.1
and before
12 maleand
adults,
24.1 lactate,
± 5.7 years,
were and
Both
afteraged
training
ammonia
investigated before
and after the
training
period
Catecholamine
concentrations
were
lower in
children
45-s pre
3.8+1.2
following all exercise tests
before and after training.
Parameter/test
Adrenaline 100 m pre
Adrenaline 100 m post
Noradrenaline 100 m pre
Noradrenaline 100 m post
Testosterone 100 m pre
Testosterone 100 m post
Children
0.44+0.32
0.55 ± 0.51
7.37 ± 3.21
7.06 ± 4.23
0.22 ± 0.96
0.17 ± 0.09
Adults
5.38 ± 3.08
7.17 + 4.01
27.12 + 11.96
33.13 ± 12.04
6.53 + 2.02
6.16 ± 3.13
Ability to mobilize
Results on catecholamines
and testosterone
glycogen stores
indicate
a reduced sensitivity
rapidly/anaerobic
to anaerobic power
training before puberty.
Maturation is believed to trigger the
development of anaerobic capacity up to adult levels.
STRUCTURE OF THE
MYT/LTAD
STRUCTURE OF THE MYT/LTAD
THEORY OF SENSITIVE PERIODS IN
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT AND MOTOR
SUGGESTION: LEARNING
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
Age "landmarks" for structuring of MYT/LTAD for young swimmers
Height Spurt
Weight Spurts
Peak of strength gain
Me+
Girls
Boys
11--12
13--14
before puberty
12--13
14--15
during puberty
14--15
15--16
after puberty
13--14
Periods of intensive development (age in years)
Aerobic Capacity
Aerobic Power (VO2)
Anaerobic Power/Cap.
Maximal Strength
Pulling Force
Strength Endurance
Speed/Strength
Flexibility
10--14
12--15
before & during puberty
12--14
14--17
during puberty
13-16
14-18
after puberty
14--16
15--18
after puberty
11--15
12--17
before & during puberty
9--13
11--15
before & during puberty
13--16
15--18
after puberty
9--12
11--13
before puberty
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

Stages of MYT/Long Term Athletic Development
Categories
of Swimmers
Females
Sprinters
Distance
Males
Sprinters
Distance
Preliminary
Preparation
Basic
Training
Profound
Towards Sport
Specialisation
Excelence
Peak
Perfomance
1-2 year
3-4 years
3-4 years
2-3 years
3-5+ years
7-9/8-10
7-9/8-10
9-10/12-14
9-10/12-13
12-14/15-17
12-13/14-16
15-17/17-20
14-16/16-18
20+
18+
1-2 years
3-4 years
3-4 years
2-3 years
2-5+ years
8-9/9-11
8-9/9-11
10-11/13-15
10-11/13-14
13-15/16-18
13-14/16-17
16-18/19-21
16-17/18-19
21+
19+
Periods of the Growth and Development
Late Childhood Pre-Pubescent Pubescent
Post-Pubescent Full Maturity
Age Groupers and Juniors
MYT -- LTAD
1. THE STAGE OF PRELIMINARY SPORT PREPARATION
Optimal age to start MYT in swimming - 7-9 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
1.
N.B.!
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
2. THE STAGE OF BASIC TRAINING
Average age of the beginning - 9-10 for girls
and 10-11 years for boys
Average duration of the stage - 3-4 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:
1300-1600 km for girls and
1100-1400 km for boys
Practical Recommendations:
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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 6575% 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
- 80% of kick – time controlled
Peak increase of the volume - before onset of puberty
Gradual/consistent increase of intensity – during & after
puberty
3. THE STAGE OF PROFOUND SPECIALIZATION
For girls this stage begins at the age between 12-14 years
For boys, due to later maturation, -- between 13-15 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
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 13-15 years
Total swimming volume in the final year of this stage may reach
1800-2100 km for boys / 2200-2400 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
Practical Recommendations:
Develop every Age Grouper 13-15 years as 200-400
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
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4. THE STAGE OF SPORT EXCELLENCE
The average age to start training to swimming
excellence is 15-16 years for girls/ 16-18 years for boys
Possibility of further increase of the annual training
volume and intensity in girls 15-16 and boys 16-18
years of age – is an important factor of
performance improvement
The primary training goal at the Stage of Excellence
is mastering maximal swimming volume:
1800-2200 km per year for sprinters,
2200-2600 km for middle distance swimmers
2600-3000 km for distance swimmers
Practical Recommendations:
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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)
QUESTIONS ???
a_vorontsov@hotmail.com
44+ (0)1225 760355