Author: Adela Bădău
Affiliation
Department of Motor Performance, Faculty of Physical Education and Mountain Sports, Transylvania University, Brasov, Romania
Abstract
Background. The efficiency of physical training for those practicing swimming, through precise and real-time evaluation, facilitates subtle adjustments to the training load aimed at optimizing physiological and physical capacities, serving as a predictor of subsequent individual performance.
Aims. The aim of the study was to determine the specific aerobic fitness level of swimming among students specializing in Physical Education, using the WHOOP 4.0 device.
Methods. The study involved 32 first-year undergraduate students, divided into two groups: one with 8 female subjects (GF) and one with 24 male subjects (GM). The swimming-specific Cooper test was applied, measuring the distance covered in 12 minutes using the crawl technique. Another targeted indicator was heart rate (HR). The specific training program spanned 12 weeks. The WHOOP 4.0 device was used for real-time monitoring of HR and distances covered in all training sessions.
Results. In the male group (GM), an improvement in aerobic fitness level was recorded, with a distance of 94.87 m in the final test, qualifying as good compared to the correct level in the initial test. In the female group (GF), the distance increased by 38.625 m, falling within the correct range in the final test. HR showed a comparative improvement between tests of 4.58 beats/min for males and 8.875 beats/min for females.
Conclusions. The introduction of technological innovations into the teaching-evaluation process, providing important real-time data during aquatic sports classes at the student level, offers methodological, scientific, and efficient support.
Key words: swimming, aerobic fitness level, students, WHOOP device.
