The effect of TRX exercises on swimming performance and selected physical fitness parameters in swimmers

This study aims to examine the effects of 8-week TRX exercises on balance, strength, and swimming performance in swimmers. Twenty-eight male swimmers were randomly divided into two groups: the TRX group (TRX, n=14) and the Control group (CON, n=14). The TRX group performed a TRX exercise program along with their swimming training, 3 days a week, for 30-45 minutes per session, while the control group continued their routine swimming training. The swimmers' 50m and 100m freestyle swimming times, dynamic and static balance performances, vertical jump, plank, medicine ball throw, and sit-and-reach performances were measured before and after the training program. The data were presented with means and standard deviations along with a 95% confidence interval, and the significance level was set at (p<0.05). The 50m and 100m freestyle swimming performance improvements were found to be significant in the TRX group (p<0.05), whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group. Significant improvements were found in plank, vertical jump, and sit-and-reach performances in the TRX group (p<0.05), while these changes were not significant in the control group (p>0.05). In the Flamingo balance test and medicine ball throw performances, increases were observed in the TRX group (p<0.05), but these increases were not significant in the control group (p>0.05). In Y balance test (YDT) performances, the pre-test-post-test change of both groups in left and right leg anterior (A), posteromedial (PM) and posterolateral (PL) directions was found significant (p<0.05). In conclusion, it was determined that TRX exercise programs positively affected the physical performance parameters of swimmers. Therefore, the inclusion of TRX exercises in the training programs of swimmers may contribute to performance improvement.