research project

Hello everyone.

If you don’t know me, my name is Trevor Perkins. I am a member of the club but have been somewhat inactive during the past 2.5 years due to returning to uni. I am hopeful that the participants of NDT club will be willing to help me with some research.

I am doing some research into water based training verses land based, resistance bands, training for triathlon swimming. I would like to ask people to take part please. I feel this could be useful information to all for future coaching and training.

A brief overview of the study:

I am evaluating the value of land based, resistance bands training for triathletes that are unable to utilise water (pool or open water) for their training, yet are still able to exercise. An example of a reason for this scenario could be extended travel. Often hotels offer a gym that has treadmills and static bike but most have pools that are not set up for swimming. They are often the wrong shape, not of adequate length, no lanes or no control over other swimmers.

My focus is on the physiological differences between water and land based exercise during the 6 week period of this programme.

I am looking for 2 groups. Each group to have 10 to 15 participants. The study period will be 6 weeks long. There will be no additional expense, over and above what you may already be spending. You will not need any further equipment other than what you possible already have (goggles, swim cap and swim clothing). The resistance band you will use, if you volunteer for the land based exercise, will be loaned to you for the duration of the 6 weeks. All training session can be done during times that suit you and your daily routine. All participants (both groups) will undergo swim time testing before the start of training programme, at the end of week 3 and again at the end of week 6. The testing will be based on front crawl with a timed swim over 100m and over 400m (more explanation and detail will be given during a more formal meeting).

Group 1 will be swimmers that will need to be able to swim a minimum of three 1 hour sessions per week. They will be given a set programme to follow, if they are following a structured plan already, (in line with the land based exercise) and the only recording required is whether the session was completed or not (tick or cross against a date).

Group 2 will be athletes willing to substitute swimming with resistance band training. A set of seven exercises will be demonstrated and practiced before the programme starts. Training will be 5 sessions of approximately 40 min per week. Again you will only be required to record whether the session was completed or not. Exercises to be done in the comfort of your own home. (no need to go out when the weather is bad)

In summary: 2 groups, one swimming for training the other using resistance bands for 6 weeks. 3 timed tests over 100m & 400m. I will be doing the test timing. You just need to do the exercise and then do the ‘swim test’. I aim to start the programme around the 8th Dec.

If you are interested please email me with your name and what group you would be happy to be in. If you don’t mind either group please also state it in the email. Just in case I get too many in one group (I do need the group size to be as even as possible). Or message me via the forum.

My email: triperkins77@gmail.com

Thank you and let’s have some fun with this.