2018, Volume 10, Issue 4

Does higher effectiveness mean better mood? Training effectiveness and mood alternations in the national finswimming team – An interdisciplinary study

Dagmara Budnik-Przybylska¹, Jacek Przybylski², Stanisław Przybylski<sup>3

1</sup>Sport Psychology Department, University of Gdansk
²University of Gdansk
³Higher School Education in Sport


Author for correspondence: Dagmara Budnik-Przybylska; Sport Psychology Department, University of Gdansk; email: dagmara.budnik@ug.edu.pl

Full text

Abstract

Background: The aim of the following paper was the attempt to: 1) assess the influence of 12-day anaerobic threshold (AT) training on finswimmers’ endurance and speed, 2) assess the relationship between mood and 12-day AT training. The authors focused on individual differences in psychophysiological indices connected with a training camp, with inclusion of results of the whole group of athletes.

Material and Methods: The study was conducted on the national team: 7 athletes (17–28 years) and was performed before and after 12 days of a training camp. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) and AT training were used in the study. Two measurements of mood and lactate tests were performed before and after 12 days of the training camp.

Results: Individual maximal speed (t(6)=-5.303; p=.002; d=-2.00) and fatigue (measured by the POMS questionnaire) (t(6)=-3.163; p=.019; d=-1.20) increased due to participation in the training camp in the whole group of athletes. Individual analysis revealed discrepancies in mood alternations.

Conclusions: Only 12 days’ training camp based on AT training resulted in increased maximal speed in every finswimmer, which may by substantial information in planning a training program. Additionally, mood analysis is a useful indicator and its application supports the training process.

Key words: endurance training, anaerobic thresholds, lactate test, swimming